mat_tobin's review against another edition
4.0
This is a beautiful addition to Walker's 90s 'Read and Wonder' series whose function was to explore non-fiction texts for LKS2 yet, I think, this book does far more and is far greater than a simple factual recount of the lifecycle of an eel. Wallace, a keen nature explorer in her writing, writes a deeply poetic recount of an eel's journey which is accompanied throughout with Bostock's wonderful illustrations ( a narrative in themselves) and a series of factual tidbits which flows alongside the images.
For me, it is Wallace's rhythem and serpentine flow through the pages which is inspiring. You're not reading a set of factual notes about the eel. This is more akin to Ted Hughes and reads more as an ode to this remarkable creature and their journey: a real fusion text. The rhythm of the poem shows great skill and knowledge of form using alliteration and imagery well - it is clear that Wallace enjoys playing with language as much as she enjoys exploring wildlife.
For me, it is Wallace's rhythem and serpentine flow through the pages which is inspiring. You're not reading a set of factual notes about the eel. This is more akin to Ted Hughes and reads more as an ode to this remarkable creature and their journey: a real fusion text. The rhythm of the poem shows great skill and knowledge of form using alliteration and imagery well - it is clear that Wallace enjoys playing with language as much as she enjoys exploring wildlife.
mat_tobin's review
4.0
This is a beautiful addition to Walker's 90s 'Read and Wonder' series whose function was to explore non-fiction texts for LKS2 yet, I think, this book does far more and is far greater than a simple factual recount of the lifecycle of an eel. Wallace, a keen nature explorer in her writing, writes a deeply poetic recount of an eel's journey which is accompanied throughout with Bostock's wonderful illustrations ( a narrative in themselves) and a series of factual tidbits which flows alongside the images.
For me, it is Wallace's rhythem and serpentine flow through the pages which is inspiring. You're not reading a set of factual notes about the eel. This is more akin to Ted Hughes and reads more as an ode to this remarkable creature and their journey: a real fusion text. The rhythm of the poem shows great skill and knowledge of form using alliteration and imagery well - it is clear that Wallace enjoys playing with language as much as she enjoys exploring wildlife.
For me, it is Wallace's rhythem and serpentine flow through the pages which is inspiring. You're not reading a set of factual notes about the eel. This is more akin to Ted Hughes and reads more as an ode to this remarkable creature and their journey: a real fusion text. The rhythm of the poem shows great skill and knowledge of form using alliteration and imagery well - it is clear that Wallace enjoys playing with language as much as she enjoys exploring wildlife.
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