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Carnivores
The lion is king of the jungle!
The great white shark is sovereign of the seas!
The timber wolf is emperor of the forests!
But...it's lonely at the top of the food chain. It's difficult to fit in when plant eaters can be so cruel--just because you ate a relative of theirs that one time! What's a carnivore to do?
Aaron Reynolds's roaringly funny text is perfectly paired with Dan Santat's dynamic illustrations, creating a toothsome picture book that's sure to stand out from the herd.
The great white shark is sovereign of the seas!
The timber wolf is emperor of the forests!
But...it's lonely at the top of the food chain. It's difficult to fit in when plant eaters can be so cruel--just because you ate a relative of theirs that one time! What's a carnivore to do?
Aaron Reynolds's roaringly funny text is perfectly paired with Dan Santat's dynamic illustrations, creating a toothsome picture book that's sure to stand out from the herd.
36 pages, Hardcover
First published August 20, 2013
20 people are currently reading
957 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Reynolds
55 books242 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Aaron Reynolds is a New York Times Bestselling Author of many highly acclaimed books for kids, including Dude!, Creepy Carrots!, Creepy Pair of Underwear!, Nerdy Birdy, and tons more. He frequently visits schools and his highly participatory presentations are a blast for kids and teachers alike. He lives in the Chicago area with his wife, two kids, four cats, and between three and ten fish, depending on the day.
(source: Amazon)
Aaron Reynolds is a New York Times Bestselling Author of many highly acclaimed books for kids, including Dude!, Creepy Carrots!, Creepy Pair of Underwear!, Nerdy Birdy, and tons more. He frequently visits schools and his highly participatory presentations are a blast for kids and teachers alike. He lives in the Chicago area with his wife, two kids, four cats, and between three and ten fish, depending on the day.
(source: Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 394 reviews
February 20, 2021
Oh, this book has me in stitches. It starts out with the carnivores feelings being hurt by the other animals who resent them for eating them. The lion doesn’t like the zebras talking behind his back and the Great White Shark felt so misunderstood while the Wolf was hurt by the rabbits accusing eyes. They form a support group to deal with their feelings. They try out being a vegetarian, doesn’t work, and they also try disguises, doesn’t work. A guest has the answer. They are Carnivores, be proud.
Spoilers:
This is the scene that had me in stitches. The carnivores love the idea, so they eat the owl who told them to be proud. I got a good belly laugh from that. Now, the animals don’t mind being made fun of by other animals. They accept they are carnivores and they enjoy their food.
It’s a book about learning to be proud of yourself and being a carnivore isn’t a bad thing necessarily. This book is totally not for vegetarians. Carnivores have to be carnivores. I also think it’s a book to remind people that this is their nature and we can’t make them cute. Trust them to eat you.
The artwork is all Dan Santat, which is why I picked up this book. He has so much energy and boldness in his pictures and they are pure fun. The glee these animals take in eating at the end of the story is amazing.
I was totally surprised by this story and it was welcome. I must be getting jaded in my old age. This would have horrified me as a child and now the humor brings me glee.
Spoilers:
This is the scene that had me in stitches. The carnivores love the idea, so they eat the owl who told them to be proud. I got a good belly laugh from that. Now, the animals don’t mind being made fun of by other animals. They accept they are carnivores and they enjoy their food.
It’s a book about learning to be proud of yourself and being a carnivore isn’t a bad thing necessarily. This book is totally not for vegetarians. Carnivores have to be carnivores. I also think it’s a book to remind people that this is their nature and we can’t make them cute. Trust them to eat you.
The artwork is all Dan Santat, which is why I picked up this book. He has so much energy and boldness in his pictures and they are pure fun. The glee these animals take in eating at the end of the story is amazing.
I was totally surprised by this story and it was welcome. I must be getting jaded in my old age. This would have horrified me as a child and now the humor brings me glee.
February 28, 2017
Lion, Great White Shark, and Timber Wolf are tired of the herbivores treating them like dirt just because they can't control their appetites for meat. So, they try being vegetarians, and they try holding hilarious support-group meetings . . .
. . .before coming to the conclusion that it's not necessary to mess with Mother Nature.
Their new credo?
I'm not bad,
I'm a Carnivore,
Eating meat is just what I do!
It's really not a catchy slogan, but I'd start running if I were you.
. . .before coming to the conclusion that it's not necessary to mess with Mother Nature.
Their new credo?
I'm not bad,
I'm a Carnivore,
Eating meat is just what I do!
It's really not a catchy slogan, but I'd start running if I were you.
July 23, 2016
There are definitely many upsides to vacationing in a small coastal town with a minuscule year-round population but today I celebrate the enthusiastic librarian, who found the perfect books for my children. At nine and seven, picture books are losing their universal appeal. This book was the best of everything. The illustrations are spectacular and the story is hysterical. A little sarcastic, a little silly, a lot of fun. 5 stars.
July 1, 2015
This book is supposed to be funny, but I think it's revolting. I'm not a vegetarian, so meat-eating doesn't bother me, but it is morally disturbing to present children with a storybook that gives predatory animals moral consciences and then lets them embrace the deaths of other animals as part of who they are as individuals.
In real life, animals are carnivores and that's just the way they are. In a picture book, with moral consciences imposed on the creatures, carnivorism looks more like willful murder. The message of the book is that carnivores eat other animals and that it's okay, because they naturally are that way, but in context with the higher level of thinking and moralizing these fictional animals are capable of, it reads like "I'll kill my friends if it suits me, because that's all part of my personal identity."
One of the book's main messages, aside from how some animals are designed to be carnivores, is that of staying consistent with who you are as a person. So, to take this to its logical end, it was okay for Hitler to kill millions because mass murder came naturally to him. It's different with animals, you might say, because they don't know any better and they're just feeding themselves, not acting out of malice. Yes, but this book makes it look otherwise, and that's why I find it disgusting.
In real life, animals are carnivores and that's just the way they are. In a picture book, with moral consciences imposed on the creatures, carnivorism looks more like willful murder. The message of the book is that carnivores eat other animals and that it's okay, because they naturally are that way, but in context with the higher level of thinking and moralizing these fictional animals are capable of, it reads like "I'll kill my friends if it suits me, because that's all part of my personal identity."
One of the book's main messages, aside from how some animals are designed to be carnivores, is that of staying consistent with who you are as a person. So, to take this to its logical end, it was okay for Hitler to kill millions because mass murder came naturally to him. It's different with animals, you might say, because they don't know any better and they're just feeding themselves, not acting out of malice. Yes, but this book makes it look otherwise, and that's why I find it disgusting.
May 13, 2021
My kids seem to like books that have the “circle of life” theme. But just like ‘The Bad Guys’ series by Aaron Blabey, the characters personalities take what can be sorta sad at times and make it funny. Clever and entertaining.
August 11, 2025
خوب، بد، گوشتخوار
ترجمهٔ حمیدرضا شکاری
نشر پرتقال
آخ خیلی بامزهست. شیر و کوسه و گرگ ناراحتن که همه فکر میکنن حیوونای بدیان و دنبال چاره میگردن.
اسپویلر: آخرش به این نتیجه میرسن که فقط گوشتخوارن، نه بد.
اینکه چرخهٔ حیاتو دستکاری نکرد تا درس اخلاق بده رو دوست داشتم. (یه کتابی بود تهش گوشتخواره گیاهخوار شده بود ولی اسمش یادم نیست.)
ممنون که خوندید.💙
۲۰ مرداد ۰۴
تخت
ترجمهٔ حمیدرضا شکاری
نشر پرتقال
آخ خیلی بامزهست. شیر و کوسه و گرگ ناراحتن که همه فکر میکنن حیوونای بدیان و دنبال چاره میگردن.
اسپویلر: آخرش به این نتیجه میرسن که فقط گوشتخوارن، نه بد.
اینکه چرخهٔ حیاتو دستکاری نکرد تا درس اخلاق بده رو دوست داشتم. (یه کتابی بود تهش گوشتخواره گیاهخوار شده بود ولی اسمش یادم نیست.)
ممنون که خوندید.💙
۲۰ مرداد ۰۴
تخت
March 4, 2017
Just so long as children realize that humans are omnivores who can choose to be vegetarians, we're all good. This appeals to the tiny bit of me that is a little boy, the larger bit of me that loves good science, and the biggest part that knows how to roar with laughter at a picture-book.
(Not 'to each his own' but 'be yourself....')
(Pahrump)
(Not 'to each his own' but 'be yourself....')
(Pahrump)
January 29, 2018
A book about carnivores should use the words "herbivore" and "omnivore" in addition to "carnivore". This story about the food chain takes the characters of ill repute in so many stories -- the "bad guys" and addresses their feelings about being smeared and side-lined. They get together and try different approaches, such as changing their diets and disguising themselves. In the end the Owl proposes the obvious--don't apologize for who and what you are. At which point Owl is happily consumed by Wolf, Lion, and Shark.
I much prefer the old out of print story of The Snake that Sneezed by Robert Leydenfrost or Drat That Fat Cat by Pat Thomson.
I much prefer the old out of print story of The Snake that Sneezed by Robert Leydenfrost or Drat That Fat Cat by Pat Thomson.
June 23, 2013
It's not often I consider calling a picture book "ballsy." But in a neck-and-neck life-or-death race with "delightful" to describe this book, I think "ballsy" makes it to the finish line first. And then wheels around to devour "delightful" with mad gnashing glee. I think we'll have steak for dinner.
August 22, 2013
It’s hard to be a carnivore when all of the prey whispers behind your back, nobody understands the way you eat, and you are accused of sneaking around. So a lion, a great white shark and a wolf get together to form a support group. Their first plan is to become vegetarians, but that doesn’t go well at all. In fact, the wolf can’t seem to find a berry bush that doesn’t have a bunny in it. The next plan is using disguises to blend in, but one smell of the lion’s zebra breath turns the antelope against him. Finally, the lion asked the great horned owl to speak with them. The owl talked about accepting themselves as carnivores. The others realize that he is right and follow his advice perfectly.
Reynolds has written a book that is screamingly funny. Each page has laughter on it with the perfect timing of his jokes. It begs to be shared aloud with punch lines that just have to be delivered. Happily, the humor is edgy and truly funny, not just for small children. With clever twists throughout the story and situations that make for very funny results, children will be delighted with this look at self-acceptance and meat eating.
Santat’s illustrations are perfection here. Bright colored and bold, just like the humor, they add just the right touch to the book. He manages to capture the comedy perfectly, but not allow his art to blow the punch lines prematurely. The large format will work well with a group, but there are also details that will have to be shared too.
Clever, funny and wonderfully inappropriate, this book asks us all to accept our inner or outer carnivores. Appropriate for ages 4-6, this would also work well as a read-aloud for older elementary kids who will love the humor and the naughtiness of the jokes.
Reynolds has written a book that is screamingly funny. Each page has laughter on it with the perfect timing of his jokes. It begs to be shared aloud with punch lines that just have to be delivered. Happily, the humor is edgy and truly funny, not just for small children. With clever twists throughout the story and situations that make for very funny results, children will be delighted with this look at self-acceptance and meat eating.
Santat’s illustrations are perfection here. Bright colored and bold, just like the humor, they add just the right touch to the book. He manages to capture the comedy perfectly, but not allow his art to blow the punch lines prematurely. The large format will work well with a group, but there are also details that will have to be shared too.
Clever, funny and wonderfully inappropriate, this book asks us all to accept our inner or outer carnivores. Appropriate for ages 4-6, this would also work well as a read-aloud for older elementary kids who will love the humor and the naughtiness of the jokes.
January 23, 2014
This book is hilarious!! The Lion, the Shark and The Timber Wolf start realizing that it's lonely at the top of the food chain. They decide to become vegetarians to start making more friends. It doesn't work out at all. Can they come to terms with who they really are??? The illustrations are fantastic and really make this story come to life. I'll be taking this one to the schools with me in the Spring!
September 17, 2015
I appreciate that this book will definitely have an audience that loves it... and that it is a great way to explain that animals are not mean for eating other animals - it's just who they are. With all that said - I didn't love it.
October 17, 2013
On one hand, this book is gorgeous to look at. The vibrant illustrations are full of life and humor, and bring to mind the anthropomorphic critters in films such as "Finding Nemo" and "Madagascar."
It's true, carnivorous wildlife need some good press. They are depicted as bloodthirsty killers in the popular imagination, and their wholesale slaughter is excused and even encouraged. One only needs to look at the eternal war on coyotes, or the current surge of hatred against wolves, in the American West to see this attitude in action. This book sends the message loud and clear: Carnivorous animals aren't "bad animals" for eating other creatures in order to live. (Indeed, the two species we consider our best friends, cats and dogs, are part of Order Carnivora.)
However, what does bother me is that if this book is used in teaching lessons at all, it won't be be in favor of letting predatory species live and play their role in the ecosystem--but rather to instill meat-eating values in children who may be at an age when they're questioning where meat comes from and if it's right to kill animals. While animals such as sharks and lions do not have the mental ability nor the digestive flexibility to make moral choices about their diets, we do. Parents and kids who repeat the phrase, "I'm a meat eater, that's what I do," along with the characters are ignoring a mighty big (herbivorous) elephant in the room--that the vast majority of us are meat eaters only by choice, and the way in which we go about our carnist ways is not in harmony with either nature or the nature of our victims. At all.
It's true, carnivorous wildlife need some good press. They are depicted as bloodthirsty killers in the popular imagination, and their wholesale slaughter is excused and even encouraged. One only needs to look at the eternal war on coyotes, or the current surge of hatred against wolves, in the American West to see this attitude in action. This book sends the message loud and clear: Carnivorous animals aren't "bad animals" for eating other creatures in order to live. (Indeed, the two species we consider our best friends, cats and dogs, are part of Order Carnivora.)
However, what does bother me is that if this book is used in teaching lessons at all, it won't be be in favor of letting predatory species live and play their role in the ecosystem--but rather to instill meat-eating values in children who may be at an age when they're questioning where meat comes from and if it's right to kill animals. While animals such as sharks and lions do not have the mental ability nor the digestive flexibility to make moral choices about their diets, we do. Parents and kids who repeat the phrase, "I'm a meat eater, that's what I do," along with the characters are ignoring a mighty big (herbivorous) elephant in the room--that the vast majority of us are meat eaters only by choice, and the way in which we go about our carnist ways is not in harmony with either nature or the nature of our victims. At all.
June 3, 2013
I saw this at BEA and I think I brought all of my friends to see it - if only for an excuse to come back and read it again.
I have always felt sorry for the gazelles and rabbits and other prey out there. Those nature videos they showed in school made me want to cry. BUT I never really considered the carnivore's plight - everyone runs when they see you and you can't help that they are what you want for dinner. The artwork is bright, colorful - and the faces are so expressive!
From cover to cover, this is just wonderful. I'm putting this release date on my calendar!!!
I have always felt sorry for the gazelles and rabbits and other prey out there. Those nature videos they showed in school made me want to cry. BUT I never really considered the carnivore's plight - everyone runs when they see you and you can't help that they are what you want for dinner. The artwork is bright, colorful - and the faces are so expressive!
From cover to cover, this is just wonderful. I'm putting this release date on my calendar!!!
January 7, 2020
The lion is king of the jungle!
The great white shark is sovereign of the seas!
The timber wolf is emperor of the forests!
But...it's lonely at the top of the food chain. It's difficult to fit in when plant eaters can be so cruel--just because you ate a relative of theirs that one time! What's a carnivore to do?
The great white shark is sovereign of the seas!
The timber wolf is emperor of the forests!
But...it's lonely at the top of the food chain. It's difficult to fit in when plant eaters can be so cruel--just because you ate a relative of theirs that one time! What's a carnivore to do?
May 17, 2019
Having this read aloud to you with a group of 8th graders was fantastic! Laugh out loud funny!
January 10, 2020
My three year old granddaughter introduced me to this book and I loved it.
February 22, 2021
CARNIVORE AND PROUD~
No tbh omnivore. I need fruits in my life 😹
No tbh omnivore. I need fruits in my life 😹
May 30, 2020
بعنی کتاب های کودکان با نقاشی و داستان های جذاب شون رو میخونم کیف میکنم
و چقدر خوبه نشر پرتقال داستان های مختلف از همه جای دنیا رو چاپ میکنه
و چقدر خوبه نشر پرتقال داستان های مختلف از همه جای دنیا رو چاپ میکنه
May 16, 2019
I normally like Aaron Reynolds, and I normally love Dan Santat, and I even like stories about self-acceptance. And yes, this story is funny...BUT...the lesson overall seems to be that you should accept yourself as you are, love yourself, and then summarily ignore how your actions and desires might harm other people...er, helpless critters. The focus is so much on the carnivores' feelings that the feelings of the prey get totally ignored. This is in direct contrast to the much better We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins, where Penelope Rex has to learn that other kids' feelings are important too. You know, empathy and stuff. This book just straight up teaches "I do what I want" Eric Cartman-style. It's kinda cute--and occasionally laugh inducing--but I don't really want my kids learning this lesson.
November 4, 2014
The Lion, Great White Shark, and the Timber Wolf are feeling bad about themselves. They are mighty meat eaters, but their diet is causing them distress. They meet and discuss a couple of different options such as going vegetarian or dressing in disguises, but when they finally learn to accept themselves is when they finally feel at peace.
Soooooo funny, but also with a great message. This is a great read aloud for the lower elementary school grades with mixed media illustrations.
Soooooo funny, but also with a great message. This is a great read aloud for the lower elementary school grades with mixed media illustrations.
January 30, 2014
What a hoot! I loved the large, mixed media illustrations. On the front endpapers is an illustrations of the carnivore food pyramid, filled with different animals. On the end endpapers, that food pyramid is empty, with just a few crumbs left. These carnivores did try out vegetarianism in one spread, but it didn't work for them. Hilarious text; large funny pictures.
October 18, 2013
The beginning of this story reminded me a bit of Finding Nemo. "Fish are friends, not food."
But then took a fun turn I rather enjoyed. The ideas these carnivorous animals devise are entertaining and fun. Vegetarians? No. Costumes? No. There is no success until they learn to be happy with what they are.
But then took a fun turn I rather enjoyed. The ideas these carnivorous animals devise are entertaining and fun. Vegetarians? No. Costumes? No. There is no success until they learn to be happy with what they are.
July 22, 2014
This book actually reminded me a lot of "Bruce the Shark" and his group from Finding Nemo, which I'm totally ok with, because they cracked me up. I love how this group of carnivores is trying to find ways to become liked by their prey. I found this book to be hilarious, and I loved the artwork.
July 21, 2014
Holy cow, (sorry, cow!) I laughed out loud at this picture book.
My 26 year old daughter laughed out loud at this picture book. And I'm pretty sure if my kids were still little, they'd laugh out loud at this book. Maybe not for the same reasons that *we* are laughing out loud, but who cares? REALLY funny stuff, text AND pictures.
My 26 year old daughter laughed out loud at this picture book. And I'm pretty sure if my kids were still little, they'd laugh out loud at this book. Maybe not for the same reasons that *we* are laughing out loud, but who cares? REALLY funny stuff, text AND pictures.
May 8, 2014
From the brilliant creators of Creepy Carrots and The Three Ninja Pigs comes this "think about it funny" book. Good mentor text for POV, food chain lesson, or plain old fun story time. Can't wait to read this with 2nd grade, who adored the previous books. Don't miss the end papers!
August 25, 2014
I am almost positive that enjoying this book makes me a bad vegan, but so be it!
It's not easy being a carnivore when all the other animals judge you for eating their friends, family and neighbours.
It's not easy being a carnivore when all the other animals judge you for eating their friends, family and neighbours.
November 7, 2013
parents will enjoy the deliciously politically incorrect about embracing your culinary predilections. illustrations stand on their own--hilarious and frame-worthy.
January 11, 2014
Always be yourself. Hilarious!
April 6, 2014
Great book! It's funny, the illustrations are great, and kids will love it. This books is perfect for introducing food chains.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 394 reviews