An Ambush of Tigers: A Wild Gathering of Collective Nouns

by Betsy R. Rosenthal Narrated by Book Buddy Digital Media

Overview

Have you ever heard of a prickle of porcupines? Or a tower of giraffes? What about a parcel of penguins?

This fun-filled romp through the animal kingdom introduces collective nouns for animals through wordplay. Clever rhymes and humorous illustrations bring these collective nouns to life in funny ways, making it easy to remember which terms and animals go together. A glossary in the back matter offers further explanation of words used as collective nouns, such as sleuth meaning "detective."

"This crash course in juxtaposition and imagination should be celebrated with a peal of bells. An inspiring addition to any poetry collection."-starred, School Library Journal

"Cleverness abounds in Rosenthal's latest. . . .The tongue-in-cheek text never falters in its rhythm and rhyme. . . .The illustrations are a perfect match for the text's wit. . . .Collective nouns have never been this much fun."-starred, Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"...Rosenthal and Jago's collaboration stands out for the sheer inventiveness they bring to the subject....Witty delights abound."―starred, Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2015-02-03
Homonyms are used as mnemonic devices to help readers remember "A Wild Gathering of Collective Nouns."Cleverness abounds in Rosenthal's latest, from the title to the backmatter, which presents a glossary—"ambush (tigers): an attack from a hiding place"—asking children to guess why the words are appropriate for each animal group. The tongue-in-cheek text never falters in its rhythm and rhyme. "Does a prickle of porcupines / feel any pain? / Can a flush of mallards / get sucked down the drain?" The illustrations are a perfect match for the text's wit. Three heavily bandaged porcupines lie in hospital beds, a sink between two of them. The convoluted pipes under the sink twist and turn across the gutter to discharge both water and mallards in an underground tunnel. A sleuth of bears, complete with magnifying glasses and fedoras, investigate a murder of crows. Three kangaroos belong to a troop, collecting dues and selling cookies while wearing sashes sewn with patches. Other highlights from the 33 featured animals include a shiver of sharks sporting scarves, a bouquet of pheasants arranged in a vase, a dancing rhumba of rattlesnakes and a lounge of lizards in the sun by the pool. Jago's illustrations walk the line between cartoon and realistic, his animals only anthropomorphized if the text suggests it. All are painted on canvas, which supplies a pleasing texture. Collective nouns have never been this much fun…or memorable. (Informational picture book. 5-9)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940175038508
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/01/2022
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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