A Charm of Goldfinches and Other Wild Gatherings by Matt Sewell

A Charm of Goldfinches and Other Wild Gatherings

by Matt Sewell

"Most groups of wildlife can be described as a flock, herd, or shoal—but where is the fun in ending there?" — from the Introduction

Whether you're an animal lover or a grammar geek, illustrator Matt Sewell has the perfect menagerie of beasts (and beast-related terms) for your reading pleasure. Along with fifty-five gorgeous color illustrations, Sewell presents the unexpected collective nouns used to describe groups of animals on land, in the air, and in the water. Discover the secret behind a "sleuth of bears," keep your eyes open for a "watch of nightingales," and learn something new about a "school of whales." Illustrated in inimitable watercolor, this book makes a great gift for nature and art lovers everywhere.

Reviewed by MurderByDeath on

4 of 5 stars

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Another charming and beautifully illustrated book, I was a bit disappointed at first with the writing, until I quickly figured out it's geared towards a much younger audience.  And as such, it's perfect.    A small selection of land, sea, and air animals and the collective nouns we use to describe them, each blurb is written in a very friendly, chatty style that is sure to appeal to kids.  The illustrations should appeal to everyone.  There's a checklist at the end of the book, encouraging kids to look out for the different types of animals, some of them presumably at their local zoos, as I'm not sure many are going to see a camel walking down their street in the normal course of their day.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 6 October, 2017: Finished reading
  • 6 October, 2017: Reviewed