Review of ‘For All Creatures’

I recently discovered that my library copy of ‘For All Creatures’ was missing in action and I rather scrambled to find a replacement as it is one of my all time favourite picture books and I find it so utterly soothing. Its one of those books I return to time and time again and with good reason. In fact I find all of Glenda Millard’s books soothing and soulful and utterly wonderful, her ‘Kingdom of Silk’ series is one my fav middle primary reads. I was delighted to find that ‘For All Creatures’ is back in print and readily available as I could not find it for a few years there.

Enjoy!

Title: ‘For All Creatures’
Author: Glenda Millard
Illustrator: Rebecca Cool
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Age Range: Early Childhood – Middle Primary (+ adults who need soothing!)
Themes: nature, thankfulness, prayer, animals, ryhme, environment.
Awards: Honour Book: Picture Book of the Year, Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards, 2010; short-listed for the 2010 Queensland Premier s Literary Awards Children s Book – Mary Ryan Award; short-listed for the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards 2010, Lower Primary Category.

Click on title links or cover images to purchase.

There is something soul soothing about this book. It makes me feel at one with all the animals of the world…even though technically I’m not a massive fan of up close encounters with wildlife – but in a book? GREAT! Bring on the wildlife!

 “For All Creatures, the great and the small, the winged and the walking, the singing and the silent – we are thankful”

Thankful is indeed what we should be for this book and what it shares – the marvel, mystery and diversity of the world of animals large and small.

Images via Booktopia

Glenda Millard is a master storyteller and her text for this book is no exception. The lyrical text reads like a song, with the refrain at the end of each page being ‘we are thankful’. In fact the text is similar in rhythm and wording to the well know hymn ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’.

Rebecca Cool’s naïve collage and paint illustrative style blends beautifully with the text. Much time can be spent pouring over the pages and discovering the collage materials used to great effect – check out the quills of the echidna and the stripes of the tiger.

Follow it up in the home, classroom or library:

• Pull out that dictionary! There are some amazing words used in this text and it begs for a bit of dictionary skill follow up. Write a list of the unfamiliar words and look up the meanings.
• Glenda Millard does not name each animal, rather she describes them. Think of an animal you love. Write or think about some interesting words to describe your animal. Can anyone guess your animal?
• Rummage through your wrapping paper collection, fabric remnants or collage box. Do any of the prints remind you an animal? Create a collage of an animal.
• Can you write your own prayer or poem of thankfulness for something in your life? I think I’d write one about cake…”For sugar and sprinkles, for cake crumbs, cream cheese icing and cupcakes – we are thankful”
• For extensive notes see the Walker Books Teachers’ Notes