A Whiff of Pine, A Hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems by Deborah Ruddell

In this delightful menagerie of poems, we meet a variety of forest animals. We learn their habits and get acquainted with their thoughts.

What I thought: Such a fun collection! The poems have just the right touch of humor to them. Kids will be sure to like them. The illustrations are great—realistic but playful. My favorite poems are:

“Biography of a Beaver”
“Moonlit Raccoon”
“Nobody’s Pet (A Word to the Wise from a Red Fox)”
“Chipmunks, INC”

(Illus. Joan Rankin. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2009)