The Carnival of the Animals by Jack Prelutsky

The Carnival of the Animals, by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Mary GrandPre. Knopf, 2010, 32 pages (CD included).

Reading Level: Picture book, ages 4-8
Maturity Level: 2 (ages 4-8) and up

Camille Sainte-Saens supposedly wrote The Carnival of the Animals in 1886 as an inside joke for his music students. Many of the musical themes poke fun at his poky, elephantine, or asinine friends–so much so he was afraid they’d be recognized, and refused to perform the piece in public. But since the personal references are long gone, children of all ages have enjoyed this suite of musical set pieces, each painting an audible picture (the lion, chickens, wild donkeys, tortoise, elephant, fossils, and . . . pianists?).

The piece is typically performed with narration, and both narrative and music are included on the CD. For this version, Jack Prelutsky, the dean of children’s poets, writes the libretto while Mary GrandPre provides the exuberant and imaginative illustrations. An afterward suggests teaching and listening activities. I’ve come across other versions of Saint-Saens’s classic, but this is my favorite.

Overall value: 4.5 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: N/A
• Artistic value: 4.5

Cautions: Visually problematic (some illustrations, like the dinosaur skeleton come to life, may be a little scary for very young children)
Recommended for: independent readers, independent listeners
Recommended use: enrichment, education, entertainment

Categories: CURRICULUM TIE-IN, MUSIC, music appreciation, POETRY, NATURAL SCIENCE, ANIMALS