Ages 9 and up

At the age of 9 and above, children enter a new stage of development. They become more curious about the world around them and start to explore various interests.

Academically, they are expected to have a better understanding of different subjects and be able to handle more complex tasks. This is also the time when they begin to develop their own learning styles and strategies.

Socially, children of this age group start to form closer friendships and learn how to interact with others in a more mature way. They become more aware of their own identities and start to express their opinions and feelings more freely.

In addition, ages 9 and up is a crucial time for children to develop good habits and values. Parents and teachers should play an important role in guiding and educating them to become responsible, respectful, and kind individuals.

Overall, the ages of 9 and up mark an important period in a child's life, filled with opportunities for growth and development.

J. Patrick Lewis is truly a genius among poets. He has a remarkable talent for often weaving humor and word play into his collections. However, in this particular work, the tone is somber. The woodcuts are dignified and subdued, yet remarkable in their detail.

These poems of extinction are arranged chronologically, starting from the 1600s and going all the way to 2000. The top note provides scientific names, habitats, and dates of extinction, and there is a continuous timeline running along the bottom of each page.

The poems not only offer factual data but also convey heartfelt emotion. Meanwhile, the timeline chronicles the achievements of humankind, many of which unfortunately account for the extinctions. It is a powerful and thought-provoking work that makes us reflect on the impact of our actions on the natural world.

We are reminded of the importance of conservation and the need to protect the delicate balance of our planet's ecosystems. J. Patrick Lewis has once again shown his ability to use the power of poetry to raise awareness and inspire change.

Swan Song is an outstanding poetry book penned by J. Patrick Lewis. It focuses on twenty extinct animals, offering a unique and captivating exploration of their existence.

The illustrations in the book, created by Christopher Wormell, are truly remarkable. They are actual engravings of the extinct animals, and their quality is simply incredible. I can assert with complete honesty that I have never come across such outstanding illustrations in any other poetry books that I have had the pleasure of reading.

Even though the illustrations are presented in black and white, the level of detail that Wormell has incorporated into each animal is spectacular. It allows the reader to vividly imagine the appearance and characteristics of these long-gone creatures.

The poems in the book are also of great merit. Many of them discuss how specific animals were overhunted, fell victim to other animals, or faced the depletion of their food supply. This provides valuable insights into the various factors that contributed to their extinction.

At the end of the book, there are endnotes that further elaborate on the different extinct animals. This additional information enhances the reader's understanding and appreciation of the subject matter.

My personal favorite illustration and poem combination is that of the Elephant Bird. The poem beautifully describes the creature's formidable features, such as its sharp claws and broad-head spear-like beak, and emphasizes its once-feared status.

Overall, Swan Song is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry, natural history, or the preservation of our planet's biodiversity.

I recently discovered yet another book of poems by J. Patrick Lewis at school.

This book tells the stories of animals that have become extinct since the 1600s. It is filled with poignant and even bitter tales of those animals we have lost.

In the foreword, Lewis writes, "More than ninety-nine percent of all species that have ever lived are now extinct." His poetic sad goodbyes include the Great Auk, described as "Like bowling pins corralled in pens"; the Passenger Pigeon, with the lines "Imagine, if you can, that once in America,/almost half the birds alive, were these migrating doves"; and the Arizona Jaguar, which was "Once the New World's largest cat."

There is additional information at the back of the book about each animal. The illustrations are beautiful woodcuts that show each animal in its habitat.

This book reminds me of last year's book with Jane Yolen, Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs, although it is not as sharp-tongued. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting the animals that still exist today.