An Ambush of Tigers

A Wild Gathering of Collective Nouns

  • Interest Level: Kindergarten - Grade 3
  • Reading Level: Grade 2

Have you ever heard of a prickle of porcupines? Or a tower of giraffes? What about a parcel of penguins?

This fun-filled romp through the animal kingdom introduces collective nouns for animals through wordplay. Clever rhymes and humorous illustrations bring these collective nouns to life in funny ways, making it easy to remember which terms and animals go together. A glossary in the back matter offers further explanation of words used as collective nouns, such as sleuth meaning “detective.”

“This crash course in juxtaposition and imagination should be celebrated with a peal of bells. An inspiring addition to any poetry collection.”—starred, School Library Journal

“Cleverness abounds in Rosenthal’s latest. . . .The tongue-in-cheek text never falters in its rhythm and rhyme. . . .The illustrations are a perfect match for the text’s wit. . . .Collective nouns have never been this much fun.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

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Interest Level Kindergarten - Grade 3
Reading Level Grade 2
Genre Picture Books
Category Animals
Copyright 2015
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 32
Publication Date 2015-04-01
Reading Counts! Level 5.2
Text Type Informational Fiction
BISACS JNF042000, JNF029040, JNF003000
Dewey 372.61
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 9.75 x 9.75
Lexile 680
Guided Reading Level O
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Awards, Glossary, Original artwork, Reviewed, and Starred Reviews

Author: Betsy R. Rosenthal

Before Betsy R. Rosenthal was a writer, she was a civil rights lawyer. She lives with her husband and three children in Pacific Palisades, California. To learn more about Betsy, visit her at www.BetsyRosenthal.com.

Illustrator: Jago

Jago has illustrated more than forty books in the United States, the UK, Europe, South Korea, and South Africa. He lives in Cornwall, UK, with his wife and two children. Find him online at www.jagoillustration.com.

Awards

  • Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year - Outstanding Merit, Winner, 2017
  • Sequoyah Book Award Nominee, Nominated, 2017
  • NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts, Winner, 2016
  • CELI Read Aloud Book Award, Winner, 2016
  • Great Lakes Great Books Award Nominee, Nominated, 2016
  • ALA Notable Children's Books, Winner, 2015
  • Instructor Magazine 50 Best Books for Summer, Winner, 2015
  • Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards Honor, Commended, 2015

Reviews

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“[A] clever contemplation of animal-centric collective nouns . . . inventively and captivatingly composed. . . . Language arts teachers as well as librarians will want to get their paws on this title.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Booklist

“In this inventive picture book, 33 animal-themed collective nouns become springboards for the writer’s imagination and the illustrator’s creativity….A lively picture book with plenty of classroom potential.”―Booklist

Publishers Weekly

“…Rosenthal and Jago’s collaboration stands out for the sheer inventiveness they bring to the subject….Witty delights abound.”―starred, Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

“Cleverness abounds in Rosenthal’s latest….The tongue-in-cheek text never falters in its rhythm and rhyme….The illustrations are a perfect match for the text’s wit….Collective nouns have never been this much fun…or memorable.”―starred, Kirkus Reviews

School Library Journal

“This crash course in juxtaposition and imagination should be celebrated with a peal of bells. An inspiring addition to any poetry collection.”—starred, School Library Journal