The Bad Child's Book of Beasts facts for kids
Cover of the 1918 edition
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| Author | Hilaire Belloc |
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| Illustrator | Basil Temple Blackwood |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Publisher | The Camelot Press Limited |
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Publication date
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1896 |
| Followed by | More Beasts for Worse Children |
| Text | The Bad Child's Book of Beasts at Wikisource |
The Bad Child's Book of Beasts is a fun children's book from 1896. It was written by Hilaire Belloc and has cool drawings by Basil Temple Blackwood. The book uses funny poems to give advice to kids.
In these poems, the animals often seem wise and clever. But the people in the stories sometimes appear a bit silly or too pleased with themselves. This book was very popular right away. In just three months, 4,000 copies were sold!
Contents
What is The Bad Child's Book of Beasts About?
This book is a collection of poems about different animals. Each poem describes an animal in a humorous way. The verses often have a hidden message or a funny twist. It's like the book is winking at you as you read it.
The Book's Unique Style
The poems in The Bad Child's Book of Beasts are not always serious. They use a style called "tongue-in-cheek." This means the advice sounds innocent but is actually quite witty. It makes you think and smile at the same time.
How Animals and Humans Are Shown
A cool thing about this book is how it shows animals. They are often portrayed as smart and knowing. On the other hand, the humans in the poems can seem a bit clueless. This contrast adds to the book's humor.
The Dodo: A Famous Poem
One of the most well-known poems from the book is about the Dodo. This poem talks about the Dodo bird, which is now extinct. It reminds us that even though the Dodo is gone, we can still see its bones in a museum.
Here is a part of the poem:
The Dodo used to walk around,
And take the sun and air.
The sun yet warms his native ground –
The Dodo is not there!
The voice which used to squawk and squeak
Is now for ever dumb –
Yet may you see his bones and beak
All in the Mu-se-um.
Who Wrote and Drew the Book?
The author, Hilaire Belloc, was a famous writer. He wrote many books for both kids and adults. The illustrator, Basil Temple Blackwood, created the funny pictures. His drawings really bring the animals to life.
Similarities to Other Books
Some people have said that the drawings in this book look a bit like the art in Dr. Seuss books. Dr. Seuss is known for his unique and whimsical illustrations. This comparison shows how special Blackwood's artwork is.
