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Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs
Hardcover, 31 pages
Published
July 1st 2012
by Charlesbridge Publishing
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Apr 17, 2013
Heidi
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
children-0-12,
fiction,
humor,
k_5-storytime-prep,
picture-books,
poetry,
2014-beehive-nominee
Oh my goodness. Some of these were so hilarious. Loved them. Many of them go hand-in-hand with the illustrations to complete the humor. Some illustrations were a bit on the ICK side for me, but should appeal to the 4th-6th grade kids (especially boys). The humor will probably be best for that age group, too. I got more from the book when I looked closer at the illustrations, for in a way there is a continuing story, and there are some things that add to the humor, ick, or they-didn't factors.
I c...more
I c...more
With simple rhyme, smirking puns, and slightly sadistic illustrations “Last Laughs” will make you laugh, let’s just hope that it isn’t your last.
The epitaph poems in this darkly humorous book are simple and pun-ny, and in general they were passable. Some were clever like Cooked Goose –
“He was Canada born
And Canada bred,
And here he lies –
Canada dead.”
Others, like Swan Song on the very next page, were not very impressive. –
“A simple song.
It wasn’t long.”
What makes this book of childishly dark poe...more
The epitaph poems in this darkly humorous book are simple and pun-ny, and in general they were passable. Some were clever like Cooked Goose –
“He was Canada born
And Canada bred,
And here he lies –
Canada dead.”
Others, like Swan Song on the very next page, were not very impressive. –
“A simple song.
It wasn’t long.”
What makes this book of childishly dark poe...more
This would be a good book to add to a haunted, ghost, monster, Halloween display. AND it would also be an interesting addition to a school book talk about things that are underground (the dead are buried you see). The book is full of epitaph poems about animals. And some of them are just funny. My nephew who was 5 had me read it to him. (He picked it out of my book stack of things I brought home to write about.) And he didn’t quite get it. But my older nephew did. And thought some of these were...more
OK. So call me twisted (just a little). In a nut shell that's what this book is - - just a little twisted. So hilarious! Various animals/insects that have met their demise (in a typical fashion you might expect, a la bug on the windshield!)and now we get to read their oh-so-fitting epitaphs. The writing is full of plays on words, double entendres, etc. with hilarious effect. But really it's all about the funny yet almost gothic (think Tim Burton?) illustrations. Imagine ... a horse, looking rath...more
It seems like only yesterday that I was sharing Jane Yolen and Pat Lewis’ Take Two: A Celebration of Twins. Well, they’re back and better than ever.
Their new collaboration is Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs (Charlesbridge, 2012). If you have a somewhat morbid sense of humor (and most kids do), you will love this book! From a horse with (hay?) fever to an unfortunate kitty whose love for yarn led to her demise, these short, mostly-but-not-always rhyming poems will bring on a good laugh. Just don’t c...more
Their new collaboration is Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs (Charlesbridge, 2012). If you have a somewhat morbid sense of humor (and most kids do), you will love this book! From a horse with (hay?) fever to an unfortunate kitty whose love for yarn led to her demise, these short, mostly-but-not-always rhyming poems will bring on a good laugh. Just don’t c...more
"Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs" is a children’s poetry book written by three authors, J. Patrick Lewis, Jane Yolen and Jeffrey Stuart Timmins. It is intended for children from ages 7-9 or primary readers (P). It is a bit morbid to say the least. Set in a graveyard of course, "Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs" is a poetry book written for young children about the demise of 30 animals. Technically, it can be considered a picturebook. The images are pretty graphic for this age range and this is another...more
This is a hilarious, if macabre, book of poetry of "Animal Epitaphs." It provides a variety of possibilities for the way that animals might have died, using puns, word plays and other literary devices to make the short poems humorous, rather than disgusting or sad. As the introductory poem suggests: "Forget the hankies./Read the words/of bugs and fishes,/beasts and birds./They know it's not/all doom and gloom/that's written/once upon a tomb" (5). In addition to the engaging writing, the book als...more
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Pun-filled and delightfully surprising, this collection of 31 poems from two talented writers is very funny and certainly not politically correct. Although I felt some guilt for laughing at the end of some of the animals, I also shook my head in glee and kept on chortling and reading as the poets killed off chickens, turkeys, horses, cows, a dog, a cat, and even smaller winged wonders such as moths and fireflies. Even the titles of the poems are clever. My favorites are "Firefly's Final Flight"...more
Jun 17, 2012
Paul Hankins
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
funny,
june-2012-reads,
ladders-to-tuesdays-with-morrie,
picture-book-parody,
picture-book-verse,
picture-books-stunning-art-illust,
poetry-celebration-of-pets,
poetry-funny,
poetry-loss-grief-healing,
poetry-packaged-with-super-artwork,
poetry-silly-verse-word-play,
picturebook-macabre-dark
Faces of Death meets Wild Kingdom meets the playful urges of two of children's literature and poetry's biggest names.
The classic work and stylings of Edward Gorey are seemingly updated in this new collection of silly verse a word play from Jane Yolen and J. Patrick Lewis.
Fan's of Neil Gaiman and Gris Grisly will enjoy the short poems that describe the demise of many animals. The illustrator seems to have fun with the illustrations. Readers who look carefully can find animals described earlier i...more
The classic work and stylings of Edward Gorey are seemingly updated in this new collection of silly verse a word play from Jane Yolen and J. Patrick Lewis.
Fan's of Neil Gaiman and Gris Grisly will enjoy the short poems that describe the demise of many animals. The illustrator seems to have fun with the illustrations. Readers who look carefully can find animals described earlier i...more
I would have loved to be a fly on the wall as Yolen and Lewis collaborated on this. I bet it would also be fun to see the "outtakes" of the poems that didn't make the final cut. It is such a relief to read something that is very clever and thought-provoking, if a bit morbid. I would love to have students create their own, complete with illustrations. This is good for a re-read, too, because you might miss things the first time. I loved the owl,
"Hit by a pellet
some other owl cast,
he asked, "Who?...more
"Hit by a pellet
some other owl cast,
he asked, "Who?...more
Amazing,juvenile poetry boook intended for a intermediate audience. It is dark poetry book with illustrations to match the text. It is truly funny if you have a grim sense of humor. This book is by far one of the best poetry books ive read in a long time. The illustrations are a bit morbid but it truly adds to the comedy of the text. This book would be appealing to young readers because its funny, and rational to an extent. It answers some of the why questions children have about death. I would...more
This book of macabre poetry is fun and ghoulishly illustrated. It contains numerous poems on the demise of our beloved pets and animal companions. Each epitaph is short, bitter and to the point. It reminds me of the old horror books and records from in the Scholastic book flyers. Do you remember: “It wasn’t the cough that carried her off. It was the coffin they carried her off in!” This modern version is just as fun and just as colorful as the books we loved to read and memorize to tell to all o...more
An interesting title to add to your kids poetry collection. Many animals pass away and the few words in their epitaphs reveal their demise. Funny, clever text is paired with grim digital illustrations in a deathly palette of grays, blacks, and dried blood.
The pictures can be graphic so this isn't one for a preschoolers eyes, but school-agers will love it. The subject/artwork brought to mind the Scary Stories by Schwartz. Overall, a fresh offering in the poetry collection that will win over some...more
The pictures can be graphic so this isn't one for a preschoolers eyes, but school-agers will love it. The subject/artwork brought to mind the Scary Stories by Schwartz. Overall, a fresh offering in the poetry collection that will win over some...more
There are not many books that I flat out hate...but this one earned its "one" star! I found this book so offensive and horrible. The illustrations are incredibly graphic, bloody, and violent and the whole subject of the book depressing and insulting. The librarian at my children's elementary school even considered pulling it from the shelves because she wasn't certain she wanted children, especially in the lower grades, exposed to the images and thinking the subject matter of animals dying was f...more
This wonderfully obscure title by J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen is an eerie look at, well, animal deaths. However, the humor of the rhyming and the brilliant illustrations by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins make this a must read for ages 6+ (unless your preschooler is particularly into the macabre). The epitaph of the Horse, the Goose, and the Deer are my favorite illustrations and poems, but all of them are laugh worthy.
I cannot give enough praise to Jeffrey Stewart Timmins for these wonderful illus...more
I cannot give enough praise to Jeffrey Stewart Timmins for these wonderful illus...more
If you’re into dark humor, you’ll enjoy these macabre bits of poetry. Each poem is an epitaph for a different well-known animal. Most are short and punchy, just right for a tombstone. The longest is “For a Bear, Barely There.” My favorite was for an owl, “Owl Be Seeing You.” The illustrations are almost funnier than the puns.
I enjoyed this outlandish collection, but I don’t think this is a children’s book. Keep that in mind before taking it home, unread, to your child.
I enjoyed this outlandish collection, but I don’t think this is a children’s book. Keep that in mind before taking it home, unread, to your child.
Looking for a dark, grim, and absolutely hilarious book? Look no further! J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen have written a series of posthumous poems, each commemorating the demise of a different animal. Dark, detailed illustrations by Jeffery Stewart Timmins show moments before, during, or after each unpleasant death, sometimes combining elements from different poems into one fantastically funny illustration. Last Laughs is simply fabulous. Read one epitaph and you'll be hooked.
Two revered, award-winning authors show their dark sides in this silly, gory book of poetry. The rather nasty illustrations pair well with ridiculous rhyming epitaphs telling how different animals met their grisly ends. Full of puns, gross outs, and some very dark humor, this book will be popular with older kids and younger kids with a dark streak. Ideal for Halloween and poetry units, this book is not for the faint of heart.
(Puget Sound Council review)
(Puget Sound Council review)
Last Laughs is gruesome and macabre and truly wonderful. The book is full of short epitaph poems for animals who have met an untimely end. The pictures are awesome but gross. I don't know if I will ever get the image of the newt or the horse out of my mind! It is very witty, but probably not suitable for all children. You should really know your audience to make sure they will not get upset by some of the images or poems.
Wow! I'd never pass up a chance to read a book by this combo of Lewis/Yolen, but this is an incredible offering: humor-noir with opportunities for vocabulary development, discussions of death, mentor writing text, and even Halloween! I've never been a fan of laughter at the expense of injury, but this is so clearly satiric it can be used with any age above "tender".
If you like puns, you'll love these little ditties. I'm not a huge pun-lover but many of these poems were hilarious. The illustrations were also funny.
Although this book was in the children's section of the library, I think it might be more appropriate for adults. The poems aren't risque or anything, I just think adults would appreciate the humor better.
Although this book was in the children's section of the library, I think it might be more appropriate for adults. The poems aren't risque or anything, I just think adults would appreciate the humor better.
This book is awful... awful funny, that is! The adult in me is rolling her eyes and saying "Ewww", but at the same time I know that the older students (grades 3-6) will love it. The illustrations are somewhat gruesome as are some of the poems, but many of them are very clever with their play on words. Another 2014 Beehive Nominee in poetry.
Gruesome yet humorous. I really enjoyed the twisted slyness of the illustrations. This is one of those picture books that it is a joy to bring to schools and share with older readers who wouldn't find it any other way. Granted, it is gross. But that's why those kiddos love it! I can just imagine the choruses of "Eeeewww!"
I used this book in conjunction with a short, fun writing project with 8th graders. I laughed all the way through this book. Very cute. Twisted humor (I love puns). Though it appears to be a younger child's book--it was perfect for junior high. I think much of the humor would be lost on students much younger than fifth grade.
I don't usually add non-fiction or juvenile literature to my Goodreads list (I don't know why really), but this one's goin' on. The illustrations are excellent, and the abbreviated text is creative and humorously macabre. Pay particular attention to the background, shaded illustrations and you'll see patterns. I love that.
This is a humorously morbid picture book that will be appreciated by young fans of movies like "Corpse Bride" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas." I enjoyed the dark illustrations filled with sickly critters.
Unfortunately, most of the epitaphs/poetry had a dashed-off feel, and just didn't connect with me.
Unfortunately, most of the epitaphs/poetry had a dashed-off feel, and just didn't connect with me.
Humorous epitaphs written for a variety of animals. Some really worked and were hilarious. Some did not work for me whatsoever. It is worth adding it to the collection for those who like the creepy factor of the cover and tone of the book. Also, to help explain the word "epitaph."
Sorry, it might be witty, but it is definitely NOT appropriate for children. I simply do not find funny the concept of laughing at the death of animals (or people) and having a child learn this kind of attitude, accidentally or not, is not my cup of tea. I was disappointed by Yolen.
As an adult, I thought this was funny, but if I was in the recommended age group (7-10 years), I don't think I would have liked this at all. 3 stars is the best I can give this since my adult self loved it and the inner child hated it. I certainly do not recommend it for kids!
Aug 11, 2012
Marcie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Marcie by:
Horn Book
Shelves:
like-and-loves-2013,
poetry
The puns are amazing and irreverent. Illustrations are grusome enough kids will love them.
"Ciao, Cow
This grave is peaceful,
the tombstone shaded,
but I'm not here--
I've been cream-ated."
Would be fun to use close to Halloween when kids often write epitaphs.
"Ciao, Cow
This grave is peaceful,
the tombstone shaded,
but I'm not here--
I've been cream-ated."
Would be fun to use close to Halloween when kids often write epitaphs.
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J. Patrick Lewis is the current Children's Poet Laureate. He has written more than seventy children's books, including Once Upon a Tomb: Gravely Humorous Verses. J. Patrick Lewis lives in Ohio.
More about J. Patrick Lewis...
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