Introduction/ Summary:
The book, Oodles of Animals, written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert, is a helpful resource for young students learning about different animals and different animal characteristics. The book consists of short, rhyming poems that study many traits and features about tons of different animals. The creatures explored range from caterpillars to frogs, lobsters to chickens, and porcupines to elephants, just to name a few. Over 50 animals are studied, in concise and catchy rhyming poems, that are each about 4-5 lines in total. The poems are short and easy-to-read and reveal what is unique about various animals:
“Caterpillar:
A Caterpillar’s
future plan
includes a
butterfly wingspan”“Skunk”
If her tail’s raised,
give a skunk room,
unless you like
pee-yoo perfume”
These poems, included within the story, are important examples because within a few simple lines, a student discovers the important features of caterpillars (changing into a butterfly) and skunks (having a terrible odor).
The most distinctive and interesting feature of this story is the illustrations that fill the pages. The pictures portray the animals consisted of just a few different shapes and colors. The author designed each animal to show it’s distinctive features, while giving young students an introduction to shapes and colors. The title is clever and catchy as well, attracting the student’s attention right away. Using nine basic shapes to visually depict animal characteristics as well as short, witty poems to explain different animals, is a great way for young children to learn about animals.
Curriculum Connections:
This book is a wonderful resource for young elementary students to learn basic facts and characteristics of specific animals. It can be used to help students learn about animals and how they grow and change (SOL K.6a, K.8c), as well as different animals’ physical characteristics (SOL1.5b). Students can use this book’s illustrations to learn about different physical properties, such as color and shape (SOL K.4a,b) as well. Kindergarten or first grade students can use the short, yet informative and entertaining, rhyming poems and illustrations provided in this book, to learn about many different animals.
Additional Resources:
1). “Explore Animal Homes“- This site comes from Springboard Magazine and it explores the many different animal habitats (barns, caves, burrows, etc.) and which animals occupy each “home.” The site includes pictures and lists to help students learn about where animals live.
2). This website, for young children, is a site with many pictures of sea animals, including a quiz, that explores the many different animals that inhabit the ocean and characteristics of sea life creatures.
3). In this show, students will learn about animals and their young, through visual representations. Young students will also begin to understand how animals are born and how they grow.
4). “All About Farm Animals” includes farm animal facts, lots of illustrations, coloring sheet templates, clipart, and a variety of songs. This site can be used for various activities studying animals that live in the farm habitat.
General Information:
Book: Oodles of Animals
Author:Lois Ehlert
Illustrator:Lois Ehlert
Publisher: Harcourt, Inc.
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 56
Grade Range: K-1
ISBN: 978-0-15-206274-3