A Barnyard Bestiary.A Barnyard Bestiary bestiary (bĕs`chēĕr'ē), a type of medieval book that was widely popular, particularly from the 12th to 14th cent. The bestiary presumed to describe the animals of the world and to show what human traits they severally exemplify. . David Bouchard (Kimball Allen's paintings). Custer WA: Orca Books (800-210-277), 1999. Hardcover, 32pp., $14.95. A dozen creatures, a few now extinct, are called to our attention in accessible poems in which each one reflects on it life and hints at its relationships with humans. The bison, ostrich, blonde Mangalitza pig, border collie, and others tell rather philosophical stories often questioning their fates. Full-page paintings present their ways to emphasize their special attributes: the turkey's red wattle against its puffy brown feathers; a team of Shire horses powerful in their fieldwork; a pensive pen·sive adj. 1. Deeply, often wistfully or dreamily thoughtful. 2. Suggestive or expressive of melancholy thoughtfulness. collie collie, breed of large, agile working dog developed in Scotland during the 17th and 18th cent. It stands from 22 to 26 in. (55.9–66 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 50 to 75 lb (22.7–34 kg). resting but alert. Naturalistic portraits add strength to the animals' monologs. We can gain insights into our carnivorous car·niv·o·rous adj. 1. Of or relating to carnivores. 2. Flesh-eating or predatory: a carnivorous bird. 3. nature in these pages. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion