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35 reviews for:
A Charm of Goldfinches and Other Wild Gatherings: Quirky Collective Nouns of the Animal Kingdom
Matt Sewell
4.06 AVERAGE
35 reviews for:
A Charm of Goldfinches and Other Wild Gatherings: Quirky Collective Nouns of the Animal Kingdom
Matt Sewell
4.06 AVERAGE
Lovely illustrations and great information. Would be a great gift for any nature lover in your life.
A beautifully illustrated guide to the poetic and strange words used for groups of animals. Matt Sewell not only illustrates, but also explores a bit of the origin of the collective nouns for groups of animals and tells us a bit about the animals. The book is a delight to read and look at.
I don't think I've read a book as charming as this. Sewell's write ups of each collective noun were witty and filled with cute "did you know?" bits, its so memorable. My favourite is "A Harem of Seals".
Humans have always had a natural desire to collect and group things together. It works well for domesticated animals, where people are used to talking about a herd of cows, or a flock of sheep. But how do you collate wild animals and birds? Should they all be flocks and herds? Thankfully human imagination has gone to work on this and come up with a whole host of rich and interesting names for all species of animals.
Matt Sewell has collected together all the collective nouns for all manner of animals who inhabit land, sea and air. As well as the titled, A Charm of Goldfinches and the well-known Murder of Crows he introduces to us the less common quarrel of sparrows, a quiver of cobras, a harem of seals and deceit of lapwings. Alongside each collective noun is a delightful watercolour of the animals and a little explanation of the origins of the noun.
I really liked this enchanting little book with its colourful bold artwork and Sewell’s charming prose but if there was one minor flaw was it too brief.
Matt Sewell has collected together all the collective nouns for all manner of animals who inhabit land, sea and air. As well as the titled, A Charm of Goldfinches and the well-known Murder of Crows he introduces to us the less common quarrel of sparrows, a quiver of cobras, a harem of seals and deceit of lapwings. Alongside each collective noun is a delightful watercolour of the animals and a little explanation of the origins of the noun.
I really liked this enchanting little book with its colourful bold artwork and Sewell’s charming prose but if there was one minor flaw was it too brief.
"It's a flock of crows," a colleague once said to me. "Only poets call it a murder."
Author and illustrator Matt Sewell would beg to differ. There's a fascinating world of collective nouns for groups of animals out there, which he explores in A Charm of Goldfinches. The simple premise of the book is pairing collective nouns with Sewell's watercolor depictions of the animals. That would be enjoyable in its own right, but this book is so much more.
Sewell reveals the history of each unusual collective noun, but he also uses it as a lens, providing a unique perspective on each featured member of the wild kingdom. In his text and his paintings, different groups and species come alive with vibrant personality and charm.
The writing in this book is engaging and personable, both lighthearted and nuanced in its exploration of natural history and the complex relationships we humans have with it. On one page, Sewell captures my heart with the most adorable array of hedgehogs, but the next may highlight the importance of conservationism, or invite you to see a familiar animal in a brand new light.
A Charm of Goldfinches is brimming with an immense amount of heart and plenty of subtle depth. It's full of surprises and smiles, and, as it describes a flock of buntings, it's "as cute as a baby turtle's birthday party." Whether you're looking for an introduction to the charms of the natural world or to discover it anew, this book is the perfect place to start.
I received this book free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Author and illustrator Matt Sewell would beg to differ. There's a fascinating world of collective nouns for groups of animals out there, which he explores in A Charm of Goldfinches. The simple premise of the book is pairing collective nouns with Sewell's watercolor depictions of the animals. That would be enjoyable in its own right, but this book is so much more.
Sewell reveals the history of each unusual collective noun, but he also uses it as a lens, providing a unique perspective on each featured member of the wild kingdom. In his text and his paintings, different groups and species come alive with vibrant personality and charm.
The writing in this book is engaging and personable, both lighthearted and nuanced in its exploration of natural history and the complex relationships we humans have with it. On one page, Sewell captures my heart with the most adorable array of hedgehogs, but the next may highlight the importance of conservationism, or invite you to see a familiar animal in a brand new light.
A Charm of Goldfinches is brimming with an immense amount of heart and plenty of subtle depth. It's full of surprises and smiles, and, as it describes a flock of buntings, it's "as cute as a baby turtle's birthday party." Whether you're looking for an introduction to the charms of the natural world or to discover it anew, this book is the perfect place to start.
I received this book free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.