Barnyard Bestiary

by David Bouchard, Kimball Allen (Illustrator)

In A Barnyard Bestiary David Bouchard focuses his poetic insight on domestic animals - some rare, some extinct, and some still quite common. The thread that binds these animals together is the way their relationship with man has deteriorated with the passage of time. Through the voices of such familiar beasts as the Highland Cow, the Buffalo and the Ostrich, and exotics like the Blonde Mangalitza Pig and the Onagadori Chicken, he questions the wisdom of our deliberate neglect of these once-prized beasts whose usefulness belongs to another era. Kimball Allen's highly realistic and profoundly evocative paintings capture the exotic and unique nature of each of her subjects. This collection of sensitive poetry and spectacular art will delight and move children and adults alike.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1999

About the author

Canadian Métis author and literacy advocate David Bouchard has produced more than fifty books for readers of all ages, including two guides on reading for parents and educators.

An erstwhile teacher and school principal, he is particularly concerned with Aboriginal-related issues and is a sought-after speaker for conference keynotes and school presentations and on topics of reading, literacy and aboriginal well-being.

David Bouchard's books have won numerous awards, including a Special Mention for Non-Fiction in the 2010 Bologna Ragazzi Awards for The Drum Calls Softly, a Gold Medal in the 2008 Moonbeam Award for I am Raven, the 2004 Governor General's Award for The Song Within My Heart, the 1999 Red Cedar Award for The Great Race and the 1997 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award for Voices from the Wild. An Aboriginal Carol was included in the 2008 White Ravens Catalogue.

In April 2009, Bouchard was named as a Member of the Order of Canada "for his contributions as an author of children’s books and an advocate who has championed the cause of reading and writing, and who has shared his pride as a member of the Métis community through his stories."

David lives in Victoria, British Columbia, with his wife Vicki and their daughter Victoria.

-taken from the author's website

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in the children's section of the library and am planning on suggesting that it be placed in the young adult section. I found the poetry quite mournful and heavy hearted, the material a bit complex, and reflective of history. For example, the poem about the buffalo was quite honest. I do not believe in sheltering children from the horrors of history but I know my little ones are not yet ready to understand why people were stupid enough to nearly slaughter the animal into extinction. The poem covers this topic. I loved the poem, just not for my kids.

So I screened the rest of the poems. My six-year-old was happy, but I think it was more from an instant like of how the words flowed when read aloud than from an understanding of the what the words meant. The pictures were also beautiful and if I remember correctly, painted by the author as well. I enjoyed reading these poems aloud. I love it when we find something unexpected and unique at the library.