The Originals: Animals That Time Forgot

By Jane Yolen

Through Jane Yolen's story poems and Ted Lewin's illustrations, young readers meet animals that, unlike their barnyard relatives, never evolved from their primitive states. Children are introduced to the four-horned Hebridean sheep, brought to Scotland by Viking raiders, the tiny Exmoor ponies, and several other modern ancients.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399230076
• ISBN13: 9780399230073
• Release Date: March 1998
• Publisher: Philomel Books
• Length: 31 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.3" x 0.3" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Superior poetry complemented by outstanding illustrations

For any child who is interested in either animals or evolution, you couldn't choose a better gift than Jane Yolen's "The Originals." When so many children's books focus on kittens and puppies, what a treat to take a look at some lesser-known animals who have scarcely changed throughout millenia.Ted Lewin's watercolor illustrations are up to his usual extraordinarily high standards. The animals look out at the reader solemnly, or engage in animal behavior without a second thought as to what the reader thinks. They range from mammals to birds to reptiles and all sorts of other beasties. It's a learning experience to read this wonderful book, and it's a treat to see how Yolen describes the animals in poetry. Yolen and Lewin have a simpatico herein that invites readers in and makes them want to stay.Very highly recommended!