Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds Illustrated by Dan Santat


A trio of carnivores form a support group because of hurt feelings – the animals they prey on make them feel bad.  They try to become vegetarian.  They try to disguise themselves and blend in.  Finally, they invite the Great Horned Owl to come and speak to their group.  He suggests that they accept who they are and embrace their identities as meat eaters.  So they do.  And then they eat the owl.  And anyone else who dares to make fun of them.  Problem solved.

Funny for both kids and adults.  Illustrations are goofy (the Great White Shark has to wear a bowl of water around his head/gills so he can breathe when he attends meetings), and any carnivore-on-prey violence takes place off the page.  I love how Dan Santat draws seagulls and octopus costumes (for sharks, of course).

* * * Stars (Pretty good)

Reviewed by Karin Thogersen, Young Adult Librarian

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