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This Is a Tiny Fragile Snake
Fifteen poems explore close encounters with animals … and choosing to respond tenderly.
Whether it’s helping a hummingbird escape, respecting a bear’s habitat, admiring a heron’s beauty, or giving way to ants at a picnic, the human response in these poems is to do no harm, and to help whenever possible. The poems follow a seasonal progression, ending with a final poem that imagines where each animal might be on a winter night.
Inspired by personal experiences, Nicholas Ruddock’s poems are simply written, with a pleasing rhyme, and fun to read aloud. In the spirit of the text, Ashley Barron’s cut-paper collage illustrations portray each creature with respectful realism, in environments ranging from rural and wild to urban and suburban.
A delightful dip into poetry for young animal lovers!
Key Text Features
illustrations
poems
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.4
Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6
With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
Whether it’s helping a hummingbird escape, respecting a bear’s habitat, admiring a heron’s beauty, or giving way to ants at a picnic, the human response in these poems is to do no harm, and to help whenever possible. The poems follow a seasonal progression, ending with a final poem that imagines where each animal might be on a winter night.
Inspired by personal experiences, Nicholas Ruddock’s poems are simply written, with a pleasing rhyme, and fun to read aloud. In the spirit of the text, Ashley Barron’s cut-paper collage illustrations portray each creature with respectful realism, in environments ranging from rural and wild to urban and suburban.
A delightful dip into poetry for young animal lovers!
Key Text Features
illustrations
poems
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.4
Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6
With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
36 pages, Hardcover
Published February 6, 2024
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 12, 2024
A cute book about humans' interactions/encounters with other animals, all of them occur because humans accidentally invade their space or they wander into ours. I like it because all of the interactions are respectful (on the part of the humans) and they find ways to leave the animals be or remove them safely and gently.
Rather than a normal narrative, each interaction is told through a poem. It's definitely not the best poetry, but it's alright.
The only strong negative I have is that when a child encounters a black bear while out on a run, it says, "... but I wisely turned around and never broke my pace. When I dared look behind me to see what I could see..." I don't know much about bears, but everything I'm seeing online (even from reputable sources), is to not turn your back on the bear and to definitely do not run (because you may be viewed as prey). Rather you're supposed to slowly back away while still facing it (but avoid making much eye contact). Anyway, this may not have the best nature advice, but it's still a nice book.
Rather than a normal narrative, each interaction is told through a poem. It's definitely not the best poetry, but it's alright.
The only strong negative I have is that when a child encounters a black bear while out on a run, it says, "... but I wisely turned around and never broke my pace. When I dared look behind me to see what I could see..." I don't know much about bears, but everything I'm seeing online (even from reputable sources), is to not turn your back on the bear and to definitely do not run (because you may be viewed as prey). Rather you're supposed to slowly back away while still facing it (but avoid making much eye contact). Anyway, this may not have the best nature advice, but it's still a nice book.
August 17, 2024
This is a gentle, beautifully illustrated poetry book about human-animal encounters featuring animals from Ontario, but could also be about Minnesota or Northern Wisconsin or the UP as well. (Loons, bears. squirrels, raccons, chipmunks and more.) The art by Ashley Barron is fantastic. Nicholas Ruddock does a fine job of giving examples of when animals and insects come into human spaces and need our kindness. It is not about animals in their
Quibbles:
1) There's a missed opportunity to share better ways to be helpful, like preventing the bird from flying into the window in the first place.
2) Most of the poems are from an adult POV, like "while mowing the fragrant lawn" or "while driving on a lonely night."
Fun fact: I was unsure a hummingbird could catch its beak in a screen door -- but this really happened to the author!
Quibbles:
1) There's a missed opportunity to share better ways to be helpful, like preventing the bird from flying into the window in the first place.
2) Most of the poems are from an adult POV, like "while mowing the fragrant lawn" or "while driving on a lonely night."
Fun fact: I was unsure a hummingbird could catch its beak in a screen door -- but this really happened to the author!
October 19, 2025
4.5
A very lovely children's poetry book. Each poem describes an animal, usually in some kind of encounter with humans that children can relate to-- hornets swarming a pitcher of lemonade, a finch that has crashed into a window, a moose crossing the road at night. In each of these wild yet everyday events, the humans choose humane and respectful responses.
The last poem, which describes the onset of winter and what each of the previously described animals are doing during that season, is a really nice way to end the collection and unite each of the poems.
I kept waiting for Otto to get tired of this book as the language is on the figurative end and there are quite a few poems, but he stayed engaged.
A very lovely children's poetry book. Each poem describes an animal, usually in some kind of encounter with humans that children can relate to-- hornets swarming a pitcher of lemonade, a finch that has crashed into a window, a moose crossing the road at night. In each of these wild yet everyday events, the humans choose humane and respectful responses.
The last poem, which describes the onset of winter and what each of the previously described animals are doing during that season, is a really nice way to end the collection and unite each of the poems.
I kept waiting for Otto to get tired of this book as the language is on the figurative end and there are quite a few poems, but he stayed engaged.
March 6, 2024
This is exactly the kind of poetry book for children I have been looking for! One that is accessible to all children, interesting, and filled with great illustrations. My favourite was certainly “Bear” as it was so relatable to the bears we see in our neighborhoods, who simply pay as no never mind! My daughter really enjoyed “Ants” and all the sugary sweet treats.
I felt like every poem taught a little something (or two!) about each creature, it provided some great poetic devices, and was engaging like a mini-story. The title and cover are also appealing to young readers, and I can see it easily being chosen off a shelf by my students!
I felt like every poem taught a little something (or two!) about each creature, it provided some great poetic devices, and was engaging like a mini-story. The title and cover are also appealing to young readers, and I can see it easily being chosen off a shelf by my students!
July 16, 2024
This book consists of short narrative poems about animals commonly seen in the northern Midwest. Beautiful cut-paper collage art enhances the accounts of finding, observing, and sometimes assisting and protecting these creatures.
Tie-in:
Science units on habitat,
Earth Day,
ELA study of narrative poetry,
Art--collage,
Bible/devotions--Creation care, Psalms of praise.
Tie-in:
Science units on habitat,
Earth Day,
ELA study of narrative poetry,
Art--collage,
Bible/devotions--Creation care, Psalms of praise.
March 30, 2024
Brief summary: This poetry collection features informative poems about various animals and insects, highlighting their unique characteristics.
Comments: The illustrations are created using cut-paper collages, acrylics, and pencil crayons with some digital finishing.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Comments: The illustrations are created using cut-paper collages, acrylics, and pencil crayons with some digital finishing.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
September 4, 2024
Lovely. When humans encounter wild animals, there is usually fear and/or bloodshed (usually on the part of the animal.) In this collection of poems, the author shows ordinary encounters highlighting peace, respect, and kindness. There *is* a better way.
May 20, 2024
Sweet poems about encounters with the natural world and its creatures, illustrated in collage by Ashley Barron.
July 12, 2024
A little bit of nature, some gorgeous images, and a whole lot of kindness shown to animals.....
I love this style of illustration!
I love this style of illustration!
December 26, 2024
Lovely poems about encounters with nature and animals. The collage illustrations are stunning
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews