The book consists of a great poem and the illustrations are wonderful. It mainly shows camel's life comparing to other creatures. Teachers can read it aloud or shared read it for first and second grades students. I personally love it because camel is considered as symbolic for middle east desert life. It should be available in schools.

Poem from writer Charles Edward Carryl, who wrote nonsense verse similar and contemporary to that of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear. I found this book by accident while looking for read-alouds for a project I was working on. The illustrations are hilarious, as are the end pages and wonderfully done, esp the textures of the fur on the animals.

I think I read this poem when I was a kid--it seems so familiar. In this book, Charles Santore's beautiful illustrations bring it to life. Camel compares himself to other animals, and finds himself unique. My favorite pictures are the 2 cats on the chair, the two kittens playing, the camel sleeping in front of a sleeping Sphinx (nice touch), and the last 2-page spread, with those three camels with the sappy faces. Too bad this book is out of print, as I'd love to order a copy for my library. More...

Fun read-aloud with wonderful illustrations.

The Camel's Lament (2004)

Santore's delightful illustrations grace Charles Edward Carryl's classic nonsensical poem.

What I thought: The poem is great, but the illustrations make this book. They are bright, colorful, and realistic. This would be a great read aloud for story time.

beautiful pictures, based on a poem

this a GREAT kid's book. beautiful rhymes, beautiful illustrations, lots of animals.