P007 前言

HAVE YOU ever thought about a day in the life of a girffe,a procupine,a while,or a snail? At this very moment, each one of them (if they are not asleep) is bustling about, fast or slow, as busy in his day, in her way, as you are in yours. Whether they live underground, on the ice, in the desert, the sea, the rain forest-or under your front porch-animals all over the world are searching for something very important: food or mates. Or maybe just the company of family and friends and the blue sky above. These creatures, like some of their human companions, seem to appreciate most of all the simple joys of exploring their worlds. As you will see in this book, poets often try to imagine the secret lives of animals. For instance, what does any pig really need? Myra Cohn Livingston knows what makes a pig happy on a rainy day as well as in "Summertime." You may have guessed already, but Alice Schertle cleverly tells us why "The Bull" can't keep himself from always acting like such a big shot. John Agard lists angry names for an alligator, but warns us not to use any of them until we have crossed the river safely! The poems in these pages resonate with wonder at the variety, beauty, and strangeness of the animal world around us. As you read them, you may think, I never thought of a caterpillar, a starfish, or an elephant in that way before. That's what all poets hope you will say after you have read their poems. And if the poet succeeds, then you may remember a line or two-and the animal for whom the lines were written-long after you have finished reading the poem. This book is not for reading straight through. Pick it up anytime. Choose a poem and then read it out loud: You want your ears to have as much fun as your mouth is having. Take the book to the doctor, the dentist, or put it in your book bag. Once you have opened it, you are likely to find words that are not so much a description as a revelation. And the pictures are pretty nice, too! -J. Patrick Lewis, U.S. Children's Poet Laureate