Module 9: Scranimals

Bibliography: Prelutsky, J. (2002). Scranimals. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

Summary: This collection of poems follows the adventures of a young boy and girl as they explore Scranimal Island.  The poems describe a multitude of scranimals, animals mixed with plants and other animals, that live on the island.  One example is the Rhinocerose – a cross between a Rhinocerus and a rose bush.  Another is the Radishark – a cross between a radish and a shark.  Descriptive illustrations accompany each poem and depict the scranimals in action.

Impressions:

Prelutsky is a master of his trade!  His poems perfectly capture the actions and characteristics of the scranimals they describe.  The striking illustrations complement the poems very well and draw the reader into the world of the scranimals.  All of the poems have a regular rhyme scheme that lends itself to chanting and a quick pace of reading.  These poems can be enjoyed by readers of all ages but very young children may have some difficulty with the vocabulary which sometimes surpasses an elementary level.

Reviews:

“Be prepared to have your senses scrambled with this starred review selection from the September issue of School Library Journal. In this review, SCRANIMALS is described as Prelutsky and Sis's "...best collaboration to date." The poems are about the creatures that inhabit Scranimal Island, which are a cross between animal and plant, such as a Mangorilla and Porcupineapple. Seventeen poems exalt the creatively bizarre lifestyles, habitats, and personalities of each "Scranimal." The Rhinocerose verse proclaims, "Oh beautiful Rhinocerose/So captivating head to toes/So aromatic, toes to head, /Enchantress of the flower bed, /Your blossoms cheer us every morn, /And we adore your tail and horn. /You soothe the eyes, delight the nose, /Most glorious RHINOCEROSE." Sis's illustrations of black-ink drawings over watercolors successfully blend surrealistic settings with the children viewing each Scranimal, such as the "Potatotoad sitting on a bump beside a road." This journey through Scranimal Island is enhanced with a map on the front and back cover pages of the Scranimals and their Island. Rebus puzzles of each critter on the back cover conclude and complete this crazily concocted adventure for young readers.”  – Shirley Petersen (Heart of Texas Reviews)

-          Petersen, S. (2002). Scranimals Review. Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 15, No. 2). Retreived from  http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~bjZJFs:1

“Prelutsky and Sis follow previous titles such as The Gargoyle on the Roof (1999) with another beautifully illustrated collection of nonsense verse that celebrates creatures of the imagination who, described in singsong verse, are "sailing to Scranimal Island." Each spread features a different "scrambled" creature that is often a hybrid of animal and vegetable. There is the "sleek," snakelike Bananconda; a pride of green Broccolions; and a fierce Radishark, whose enormous, red fish-head comes complete with a radish-root snout. Prelutsky's language is uneven, and despite the humor and some delicious rhymes, many selections are stilted and slightly forced. It is Sis' fantastical illustrations that will generate the most excitement. His beasts shine with seemingly irrepressible personalities, and he creates a layered story in the scenes of a boy and girl who travel through the enchanted, slightly prehistoric otherworld. Read this aloud to small groups so that children can crowd up close and take in the jokes and the fantasy in the glorious images.”  – Gillian Engberg (Booklist)

-          Engberg, G. (2002). Scranimals Review. Booklist (Vol. 99, No. 2). Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~bjZJFs:1

Suggestions for Use in a Library:

Cut out several dozen animal parts and plant parts using construction paper.  Put them in a container and have a group of children pick several pieces.  They can then use glue sticks to create their very own scranimal!