The Sniger & the Floose
by Ashley Fayth
illustrated by Katie Brosnan
Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides, 2023
ISBN 978-1-92791-795-4
$13.99, 24 pp, ages 5 – 10
runningthegoat.com
In this nonsense poem made up of random animals such as “elephiglets” and grizzly “bearbatrosses,” children can delight in the journey of “wild and wondrous” beasts. Illustrated by simple drawings of strange animals having fun, children can delight in the playful ways that these unique animals navigate their space. Interspersed with the “joy-filled gibberish” are some serious suggestions on how we can protect and keep wildlife safe by acting respectfully when in their presence. This book offers opportunities for children to enjoy the fun and creativity of making up fictitious animals by having fun with words and to learn basic respect for animals in the wild.
Classroom Connections: Children will delight in this as a read-aloud book, and can be asked to identify the names of the made-up animals illustrated. Comparing the made-up animals to the real names of animals will help them identify spelling patterns and serve as a template as they creatively make up their own random animals with words and pictures. As they come to the respectful rules of engaging with animals in the wild, they can add to this list and suggest other rules we use to protect living things from human interference.
Review by Betty Schultze.
This review is featured in Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Fall 2023 issue.
