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35 reviews for:
A Charm of Goldfinches and Other Wild Gatherings: Quirky Collective Nouns of the Animal Kingdom
Matt Sewell
35 reviews for:
A Charm of Goldfinches and Other Wild Gatherings: Quirky Collective Nouns of the Animal Kingdom
Matt Sewell
I didn't realize until I got this book from NetGalley that I'd read and reviewed another one of Matt Sewell's books, [b:Owls: Our Most Enchanting Bird|23347178|Owls Our Most Enchanting Bird|Matt Sewell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443390730s/23347178.jpg|42905630]. This follows a similar format to that one, and to a bunch of other Sewell books. This one in particular takes a look at the fun and amusing names there are for groups of different kinds of animals, for example, a murder of crows or a parliament of owls, and it also has some descriptions and thoughts about the names and animals.
I felt pretty much the same about this book as that one: it's a whimsical book with cute illustrations. While it does have some scientific information about the animals it portrays, I wouldn't take most of it to the bank. It's not meant to be an informational book, really.
I do like the way Sewell illustrates the eyes of some of the animals. Eyes and facial expressions are one of the hardest things to illustrate (as well as human hands!), in my opinion, and I think he does a good job. For example, look at these images of cute, innocent (yeah right!) starlings versus the vultures that are definitely up to something.


Here are a few of my other favorites:



Overall, it's a cute book but not something I'd buy myself.
Note: I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I felt pretty much the same about this book as that one: it's a whimsical book with cute illustrations. While it does have some scientific information about the animals it portrays, I wouldn't take most of it to the bank. It's not meant to be an informational book, really.
I do like the way Sewell illustrates the eyes of some of the animals. Eyes and facial expressions are one of the hardest things to illustrate (as well as human hands!), in my opinion, and I think he does a good job. For example, look at these images of cute, innocent (yeah right!) starlings versus the vultures that are definitely up to something.


Here are a few of my other favorites:



Overall, it's a cute book but not something I'd buy myself.
Note: I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is both adorable and informative, with beautiful art. I've been reading aloud to my daughter from books both fiction and non-fiction (nature oriented), and I really enjoyed this. I'll look forward to re-visiting it to practice some of these new terms.
Looking forward to reading more bird books from this author.
Looking forward to reading more bird books from this author.
I liked Matt Sewell's illustrations and the groups he chose, but the text was a little lacking for me. I wish (and here's where it gets nerdy) that he included more history of the how the term came to be or where it was used or other places the term appears.
I don't think that's the point of the book, but I couldn't imagine creating this and then not referring to the first time an "ostentation of peacocks" or a "murmuration of starlings" was used.
I don't think that's the point of the book, but I couldn't imagine creating this and then not referring to the first time an "ostentation of peacocks" or a "murmuration of starlings" was used.
This book would make a lovely gift. The quote from the front says it all "quirky collective nouns of the animal kingdom". Each page tells what a group of something is called and a bit about the species.
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
light & fun
nice illustrations: a nice balance of cute & stylized with accurate
text is interesting at times, but probably secondary to the artwork.
writing is sometimes childish in tone yet with adult vocabulary, so it's not clear who the intended audience is.
nice illustrations: a nice balance of cute & stylized with accurate
text is interesting at times, but probably secondary to the artwork.
writing is sometimes childish in tone yet with adult vocabulary, so it's not clear who the intended audience is.
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Matt Sewell sweeps us along with waves of wordplay as we learn collective nouns of animals. His sources are silly and quirky and reach far back in time. The illustrations are an added bonus to the fun!
Super cute and helpful when I forget what a group of seals is called. Very useful and cute