Hummingbirds, raccoons, and tortoises are some of the creatures featured in this pleasant collection of poems. The tone of the poems ranges from reflective and questioning to more playful in the entries for two voices. Skilled colored-pencil drawings nicely complement the collection. Ind.

Gr 4-6-- Simplicity is the key word to describe this slim collection of animal poems. There is nothing flashy here, no rhythmic roller coaster of rhyme. In these 17 poems, animals--from hummingbird to raccoon to frog--sing their simple songs with quiet eloquence. In Heard's graceful verses, an eagle is . . . a graceful kite with no string'' while a snake. . . changes its clothes . . . peeling down to its toes.'' There are a couple of poems for two voices, and there is a deep appreciation for the animals that are almost gone from this Earth. Dewey's soft, realistic watercolors are the perfect complement to the understated text. Although children will probably never clamor for this book, its stately content is accessible to them. While libraries with Fleischman's Joyful Noise (HarperCollins, 1988) and Carle's Animals Animals (Philomel, 1989) may pass it by, it is a fine, carefully crafted title that sparkles softly. --Amy Nunley, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, OH