Twosomes: Love Poems from the Animal Kingdom

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Singer, Marilyn. 2011. Twosomes: Love poems from the animal kingdom. Ill. by Lee Wildish. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 9780375867101

BOOK SUMMARY

Twosomes: Love Poems from the Animal Kingdom is a short book of fifteen silly, pun-filled love poems about animals.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Marilyn Singer’s rhyming couplets are filled with puns regarding relationships among animals. The quick two-liners do not leave much room for sophisticated language or numerous syllables. This is quite all right in most of the poems. In rare cases, such as in “Horses”, the rush to fit in all the syllables and the pun makes for an awkward sounding second line. Some of the rhymes feel forced, but as mentioned before, the intent is to create funny poems rather than a serious analysis of animal relations.

The puns Singer writes are specific to each animal. Singer uses interesting techniques to allude to the intended animal. In “Dolphins”, she writes, “You’re the porpoise of my life.” In “Squirrel”, Singer begins with “It’s a-corny thing”. Each poem’s pun gives the reader a hint about the animal being described.

The intent of this book of poems is to entertain readers. Children and adults alike would enjoy the silliness found within the book. Illustrator Lee Wildish adds comical illustrations of the smitten characters. His amusing images nicely complement the humorous lines of rhyme found in this simple, short gift book.

REVIEWS

“The smooth writing is simple (in a good sense) and accessible. The color cartoon illustrations, while not distinctive, are engaging nevertheless.”

—School Library Journal, April 2011

“This is a tiny gem! It is perfect for Valentine’s Day fun in school, at any other time for a poetry unit, or as a great little gift.”

—Library Media Connection, June 2011

CONNECTIONS

SCIENCE

After studying inherited traits of animals, readers write their own rhyming couplets describing an animal.

PUNS

While studying puns and the examples found in this book, identify puns used in other text, on television, or in songs.

VALENTINES PUNS

Create your own Valentine’s Day card with a rhyming couplet that includes a pun or other figurative language such as personification, similes, or metaphors. Consider using alliteration or onomatopoeia to add “sound effects”.