Annie and the Wild Animals

Annie's best friend is her cat, but when her cat starts acting strangely, then disappears into the woods completely, Annie is left alone and sad. She decides to lure herself a new animal friend by making corn cakes and leaving them near the woods. But what comes out is not what she expects.

The story is sweet and simple, but the real beauty lies in the borders around the pages that hint of the upcoming pages. Tiny figures reminiscent of woodcuts adorn the border of each richly done main image, making this a book that can be read in a few minutes, or something to be admired for quite a long time. Good for those little ones who like to go back to each page, even after the story is done. I promise, with this book, you won't mind.

Ok. Story doesn't make a lot of sense, and, again, the art is self-indulgent & just so so much. But I can see why she's popular, so I'll just let myself enjoy the cute bits and not worry about the flaws.

Second read; this time I found it rather darling... Annie is younger than most Brett characters, and the text is shorter, with a simpler plot. Almost a 'my first Brett' book. And I figured out one thing that I must've missed the first time - spring came, so the wild animals (fortunately, just in time) went back to their normal territories and foods.

"Annie and the Wild Animals" is a beautifully illustrated fantasy/historic fiction combination of a book that shows a little girl longing for a pet. Her cat has run away from home and Annie soon becomes lonely. She decides that she needs to find a new pet so she bakes a batch of corn cakes and leaves one at the edge of the woods expecting a small furry animal to scamper out and become her new pet. However, instead of a small animal, Annie comes face to face with a giant moose! She repeats this process of trying to find a new pet through several nights, and each night more and more wild animals appear! At last, spring came to Annie's little house in the woods and just when she'd given up hope of ever finding a new pet, her cat comes back show more with three kittens trailing close behind. show less

When Annie's cat disappears one winter morning, the lonely little girl tries to befriend the woodland animals behind her home. But instead of finding companionship, a giant moose, a grumpy bear and others show up to eat her corn cakes until they are all gone.

Then they leave, and to Annie's surprise, out of the woods comes Taffy—with three new kittens! Now she has more soft and cuddly friends than she'd ever imagined.

I liked the story a lot. Brett's portrayal of Annie's emotions through the illustrations tugs at your heart strings and the ending is delightful! This could be used in a science lesson with early elementary students to discuss all the different animals in the forest.

I think this book is a good example of children's literature because it wonderfully combines a good story and plot line with engaging and beautiful illustrations. In my opinion, the illustrations are really what make this book shine. Jam Brett incorporates authentic motifs and designs consistent with the location of where this story takes place. She includes detail and foreshadowing borders so that readers can constantly see something new each time they read the story.

This is a simple book that tells the story of Annie, whom is looking for a new pet. She tries to lure in woodland creatures. The story is a fun approach to a child's connection to pets. The main theme of the book is that wild animals do not make good pets.

I like the book it is a straight forward story. I find Annie to be a character the reader can relate to. For example, any readers will often try to attract a new pet when young. The reader could also potentially have lost a pet.

I loved the illustrations. For example, the fur and snow was so well detailed. Also, another example, is the illustrations have boarders. The boarders help foretell the story, helping progress the story. A fun and different read.