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AN ASSORTMENT OF ANIMALS: A Children’s Poetry Anthology by Members of The Writers’ Loft

Cover Reveal of AN ASSORTMENT OF ANIMALS: A Children’s Poetry Anthology

Posted on October 26, 2018April 18, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

I’m thrilled to be doing the cover reveal and giveaway for The Writers’ Loft newest anthology. This is a writing group that I joined a few years ago when I started writing picture books. I love the supportive atmosphere and the opportunity to join picture book critique groups, writing seminars, and lectures about a range of topics on children’s book publishing.

The newest poetry anthology is called …

AN ASSORTMENT OF ANIMALS: A Children’s Poetry Anthology by Members of The Writers’ Loft

An illustrated collection of never-before-seen poems about animals from Members of The Writers’ Loft.

From a shoe-shopping centipede to an endearing baby flamingo to a stealthy barracuda, the characters dazzle. Kids will want to cuddle with the pangolin, dance with the rhinos, and eavesdrop on the conversation between a bee and a flower. Three seek and find activities in the back matter makes this book a great addition for teachers, librarians, and families.

It’s truly a labor of love by everyone involved including these folks who did the heavy lifting:

  • Edited by Kristen Wixted and Heather Kelly
  • Book Design by Doreen Buchinski
  • Cover Art by Brian Lies
  • Creative Team: Sally Hinkley and Priscilla Alpaugh

What is this poetry anthology all about, you ask? Thank you for asking!

 

It’s fun…

There’s a centipede that goes shoe shopping, a cat that dreams of haute cuisine, a dramatic dog, a hipster hamster.

 

Sweet…

A conversation between a bee and a flower. A swan’s elegance and an albatross’s lack of it. Moms and babies: deer, pangolins, giraffes, elephants—with art that makes you want to cuddle.

 

A little bit scary…

Some of the predators in the book may … or may not … eat other characters. An anteater and an ant. A wolverine and a fox. A grizzly bear and a boy. You get the idea.

 

And what else?

A giant turkey vulture peering right at you from the page, a peacock giving away jewels, a slug on a slip-n-slide!

Three seek and find activities in the back matter makes this book a necessary addition for teachers, librarians, and families alike.

And here it is …

AN ASSORTMENT OF ANIMALS: A Children’s Poetry Anthology by Members of The Writers’ Loft

Available for purchase 11/1 (pre-order now!):

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

IndieBound

List of contributors with books coming or recently out:

Hayley Barrett: Babymoon, April 2019, What Miss Mitchell Saw out Fall 2019

Josh Funk Lady Pancake series, Lost in the Library, etc.

Brian Lies, of the Bats Series, (Bats in the Library, Bats at the Beach…) New out this fall, The Rough Patch and this winter, Got to Get to Bear’s!

Bob Thibeault, (illustrator), Phony Moral Guidance from the Mouth of President Trump (This is not a kids’ book.)

Jane Sutton, Doreen Buchinski (illustrator) Me and the Weirdos, Oct. 2018

Jane Yolen, (of Owl Moon and How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? fame). New book with Heidi Stemple, out this fall, Fly with Me, a treasury celebrating the world of birds.

Jane Kohuth’s book Who’s Got the Etrog? came out this fall.

Other contributors (not mentioned above) are: Kari Allen, Jodie Apeseche, Sandy Budiansky, Ellen Cohen, Elaine D’Alessandro, Audrey Day-Williams, Alice Fulgione, Bonnie Gold, Luke Hargrave, Helen Kampion, Caitlyn Kelly, Jane Kohuth, Marty Lapointe-Malchik, Megan Litwin, Deb O’Brien, Dave Pasquantonio, Charlotte Sheer, Cathy Stenquist, Pam Vaughan, Robin Brett Wechsler, and Joy Wieder.

AN ASSORTMENT OF ANIMALS: A Children’s Poetry Anthology Giveaway!

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The Writers' Loft in Sherborn MA

The Writers’ Loft is a community in Sherborn, MA, founded by Heather Kelly, dedicated to helping writers improve their craft. We have a quiet, drop-in writing space and a community room for all kinds of events from free craft chats to day-long workshops taught by editors, to classes taught by published writers. Because writing doesn’t have to be a solitary pursuit!

 

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36 thoughts on “Cover Reveal of AN ASSORTMENT OF ANIMALS: A Children’s Poetry Anthology”

  1. Mother of 3 says:
    October 26, 2018 at 7:12 am

    That does sound like a wonderful anthology and I love the cover art. So inviting! Pinned.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 4:59 pm

      Thanks for sharing Mother of 3!

      Reply
  2. John Smith says:
    October 26, 2018 at 8:13 am

    “What are your favorite books about animals or poetry?” Beatrix Potter books–I didn’t have enough of those in my childhood!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:00 pm

      Hi John,
      Beatrix Potter books are so wonderful! Thanks for your great book recommendation!

      Reply
  3. Heather Kelly says:
    October 26, 2018 at 8:33 am

    Thanks Mia!! We’re so proud of this book!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:01 pm

      Hi Heather,
      It’s an amazing collection of poems and illustrations. The book looks amazing including the cover by Brian Lies. I’m so impressed with this book and you all should be proud! It’s quite an achievement! Congrats!!!

      Reply
  4. Yvona Fast says:
    October 26, 2018 at 10:14 am

    Looks like another wonderful kid’s poetry book about animals – everyone loves animals!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:02 pm

      Hi Yvona,
      It’s a wonderful collection of animal poems and illustrations!

      Reply
  5. M. Gianferrari says:
    October 26, 2018 at 2:03 pm

    Love this!! I recognized Brian’s art immediately! Becoming a member of the Writer’s Loft is one of the first things I’ll do when I move back to MA! I see all of these wonderful events there, and I’m sad to be so far away! Congrats to all the contributors–it looks like my cup of tea!!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:03 pm

      Hi Maria,
      I love The Writers’ Loft! I’m so grateful to discover it through the kind invitation of Josh Funk! This book is an amazing group project that should grace every library!

      Reply
  6. Shirley FADDEN says:
    October 26, 2018 at 3:11 pm

    Wow, can’t wait to buy this book in support of The Writers Loft, and all of the talented writers and illustrators who contributed. Beautiful job everyone and thanks for this reveal, Mia.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:03 pm

      Thanks Shirley! It’s out now!!!

      Reply
  7. Kathleen K says:
    October 26, 2018 at 6:07 pm

    I just purchased a DK encyclopedia of animals as a holiday present for my daughter that looks fabulous! This one looks great, too!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:05 pm

      Hi Kathleen,
      The DK books are so wonderful. I’m sure your daughter will love it! This is a nice complement as it has poems.

      Reply
  8. Debra Branigan says:
    October 26, 2018 at 6:31 pm

    I absolutely loved a picture book called Aska’s birds which was poetry and gorgeous artwork.
    Finding Winnie is great.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:06 pm

      Hi Debra,
      You might really like An Assortment of Animals. It sounds similar to Aska’s birds.

      Reply
  9. JANE E SUTTON says:
    October 27, 2018 at 11:48 am

    This book is a gorgeous celebration of eye-popping nature AND ear-dazzling poetry.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:06 pm

      Hi Jane,
      It’s a wonderful book. Congrats!!

      Reply
  10. Kathy Halsey says:
    October 27, 2018 at 11:53 am

    So excited for all the Lofters I know. Congrats son this great poetry anthology.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:07 pm

      Hi Kathy,
      Congrats to everyone involved. The book is amazing!

      Reply
  11. maryanne says:
    October 28, 2018 at 12:47 am

    Good question! I’m fond of Jan Brett’s “The Mitten” for books about animals. This one looks fabulous! I may have to find a copy for my poetry-loving, animal-adoring daughter.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:08 pm

      Hi Maryanne,
      Your daughter might really like this book. Let her know it was a group effort by the members of The Writers’ Loft, a group of people who love children’s books and write picture book manuscripts. Some illustrate as well.

      Reply
  12. Kathleen Mazurowski says:
    October 28, 2018 at 8:44 am

    Can’t wait to read this book!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:08 pm

      Hi Kathleen,
      It’s a wonderful book and it’s out now!!!

      Reply
  13. Bonnie Lambourn says:
    October 28, 2018 at 6:37 pm

    Sounds like so much fun and I love Brian Lies art!

    FAVORITE ANIMALS BOOKS for kids? too many to list… realistic ones, anthropomorphic ones – Little Bear, Corduroy, Velveteen Rabbit to Old Yeller, Black Stallion, Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web

    Poetry – “On little cat’s feet…

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:10 pm

      Hi Bonnie,
      Thanks for sharing your great book list! Love these classics!! Hope you enjoy An Assortment of Animals as well!

      Reply
  14. Patricia Nozell says:
    October 28, 2018 at 8:25 pm

    Had the great pleasure of attending a Loft workshop a few years ago. Such a supportive resource for #kidlit authors & illustrators & a talented bunch. Congratulations on the new book!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:11 pm

      Thanks so much Patricia! It’s a very special place! A lot of love and support for writers there!!

      Reply
  15. Viviane Elbee says:
    October 29, 2018 at 3:39 pm

    Looing forward to reading this book!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:15 pm

      Thanks Viviane!

      Reply
  16. Beth T. says:
    October 30, 2018 at 1:20 am

    A children’s poetry collection I love is “Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young”.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:16 pm

      Hi Beth,
      Sounds like a great pairing with An Assortment of Animals!

      Reply
  17. Jennifer Oliger says:
    October 31, 2018 at 4:16 pm

    One of my favorite poetry books about animals is Animal Poems of the Igazu by Francisco X. Alarcon.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 5:24 pm

      Thanks for your great addition Jennifer!

      Reply
  18. Natalie says:
    November 18, 2018 at 2:51 pm

    I love the book Stellaluna!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 18, 2018 at 6:21 pm

      One of our favorites! Thanks for adding to this list Natalie!

      Reply

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