Twenty-four poems correspond to twenty-four animals in this collection of poems aimed at children. Ted Hughes pumps meaning and personality into each of the Northern birds and beasts while Leonard Baskin’s illustrations convey a deep respect for the animals in reference. ( )

Ted Hughes delicately writes delicately accurate poetic descriptions of each animal found on the unforgiving Alaskan landscape. The beautifully darkened watercolor illustrations give it a dramatic essence as the reader scans through the text. ( )

Poetry: Picturebook
Hughes, Ted Under the North Star. Illust. by Leonard Baskin. Viking, 1981.44p. Upper elementary and up
This is a series of poetic works about wild animals like the wolf, the grizzly, and the moose who struggle to survive under the North Star in the harsh northern environment. Somber illustrations accompany the dark poetry. Told in the third person narrative view, it has a theme of loneliness.
AK: Alaskan animals, North Star, Northern environment
Activity: Ask students which poem they liked best and then have them each take a poem, write or type it out, and illustrate it. ( )