Carnivores

I became excited when I saw the cover of Carnivores. I had not heard of this yet to be released picture book. Page after page I laughed until my stomach hurt. Seriously, this is one of the funniest picture books I have ever read. The top of the food chain is upset because those at the lower levels do not want to be around them or be friends. Would you? Oh, no way, but they are alive and have feelings, so I suppose they need acceptance.

If my reaction is any indication, and I am not saying it is, but if it is, kids are going to absolutely love this book. Each page is filled edge-to-edge with crisp, snappy illustrations. There is not a page with white on it, unless put there by the illustrator. Mr. Santat has created a wonderful pictorial show more story that matches Mr. Reynolds story. Whoever put these two artists together knew what they were doing. The pages in this slightly large picture book (40 pages instead of usual 32), are nice and thick to withstand all the turning that will occur.
The humor is out of this world, especially the twist at the end. I still smile and giggle when I think of the ending and the plot twist I had not seen coming. The beginning, when each animal moans about his or her horrible state of rejection, I laughed. When they came together in a meeting—think Carnivores Anonymous—I about fell over. What an idea. The goofiness never stops. The owl comes to give advice and they respectfully listen, take his advice to heart and . . . then . . . eat him!

If you are looking for a picture book to teach your child the food pyramid, Carnivores is not your book. If you are looking for a book to learn about the food chain, nah, not really going to help. Looking for a story that is fun, hilarious, and has wonderful illustrations, Carnivores is a good choice. If you want to have a hilariously riotous time with your child, Carnivores is the choice! It is a “can’t lose” picture book for those wanting a good time with their child, though I do not recommend this as a bedtime story. Your child, and you, will find it hard to stop laughing and fall asleep. However, Carnivores does have a message: be yourself and love who you are. I love Carnivores. A Top 10 Book for 2013.

Originally published on Kid Lit Reviews http://kid-lit-reviews.com
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This books focuses on three of the most popular carnivores from different climates -- the lion, the shark, and the timberwolf. While they may seem confident, these animals are very concerned about what the other animals think about them and say behind their backs. So, they all start hanging out together, and decide to try a couple different tactics (vegetarianism, costumes) to blend in with their other animals, to no avail. Eventually a wise owl encourages them to accept who they are, and they do just that by eating him right up.

I adore this book. Wonderful, comical and detailed illustrations, a great plot/concept and hilarious language, and a wonderful moral of the story to boot: It doesn't matter what other people think of you. Just show more be yourself.

My husband and I were cracking up as I read this aloud, so I think that this book appeals to kids of all ages. However, it would also fit in well with a lesson where students begin to learn about animals, habitats and their eating habits and strategies. LOVE IT. show less

Carnivores is a book about three carnivores (A Lion, a Shark, and a Wolf) coming to terms with the fact that nobody likes them because they keep eating everyone. They try becoming vegetarian, they try blending in, and eventually they call the wise old Horned Owl to help. The Owl tells them to suck it up because even though the other animals are mean to them, they're carnivores and they can just eat them. They then proceed to eat the Owl, which seems like a huge dick move. They are content with being the kings of their food chains.
This is not a book for vegans or vegetarian students. Might be best to leave this one on the shelf, but it's definitely funny!

Carnivores at first feel bad for eating their fellow animals, so the predators join a support group to help them change their ways, before embracing their natures and gobbling as much as before. Lots of tongue-in-cheek and visual gags that would play well to an older audience who get the "self-help" references. I bet even high schoolers would enjoy this one.

"The great white shark ... he gets such a bad rap. All those shark movies don't help. Everyone talks about his "feeding frenzies." But he's simply a fast eater. Nobody understands."

The lion, great white shark, and wolf are getting a bad rap. But they're not bad, they're just carnivores. (And anyway, those rabbits have such negative attitudes!) Dry humor best suited for school-aged children. This one cracked me up.

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I loved this book! so cute and funny for adults and kids! It's about poor, misunderstood carnivores who, "don't sneak up on little girls, they are just quiet walkers". I laughed out loud and will buy this one for sure! My kids will love it. I think it's great to just teach what a carnivore is but more than that it can do a great job teaching point of view and character development. The great white shark, lion, and a timber wolf get together to share their feelings and try to become vegetarians. Which doesn't go well. Eventually they end up eating cute little animals again but they are so fun that you don't mind. Great book!

This humorous, tongue-in-cheek picture book tells the tale of three carnivores, a lion, a shark and a timber wolf, who get their feelings hurt when they are shunned by their prey. At first they try to be vegetarians, then they try to don disguises in order to fit in, but neither of these tactics really works. In the end, they consult the wise old owl, and through his counsel, come to accept themselves for who they really are.