Walker The Ravenous Beast

A comical tale of the Ravenous Beast who is hungry, hungry, hungry! But is he the hungriest animal of all? The other animals don't think so, but they want to watch out, or the ravenous beast might just gobble them up and swallow them down! Children will love the combination of Sharkey's alliterative rhyming text and bright expressive artwork introducing us to a comical cacophony of animal characters. Niamh's unmistakable style and stylish palette create a beautiful book that's almost good enough to eat! Editorial Reviews From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 2-The Ravenous Beast, an orange-and-blue creature resembling a dinosaur, claims to be "the hungriest animal of all." Seven others, ranging in size from a tiny white mouse to a huge whale, challenge the statement by demonstrating their eating prowess. They consume many items, including a boat, a trampoline, and a bus. As each animal finishes its unlikely meal, the Beast eyes the competitors, then settles the question by eating them all. Versions of "The Fat Cat" by Jack Kent (Parent's Magazine, 1971; o.p.) and Margaret Read MacDonald (August House, 2001), and Lensey Namioka's The Hungriest Boy in the World (Holiday, 2001) also feature inveterate eaters but end with the thwarting of the hungry protagonist. The last spread of Sharkey's book shows that the hillside has been cleared of everything but the Beast. However, the cartoon style of the illustrations and the absurdity of the animals' claims plant the narrative firmly in fantasy and help alleviate potential fears. The oversized pages and hand lettering add to the effectiveness of the design and will facilitate group sharing. Repetitive aspects of the tale, such as the boast "Now THAT's what I call hungry," add to the read-aloud potential. Children will eat this up. Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato Copyright å¨ Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. Review This is a lavish picture book in every way. Sharkey matches her striking illustrations to a text rich in imagery. School Librarian With a dazzling array of munchies on the menu, your baby will be giggling from start to finish. Great illustrations too. Baby & You