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Hundreds of animal species provide the cast of characters for these newly composed bio-limericks, arranged into 17 chapters by taxonomic group (such as Birds, Fishes, Insects) or biological subject (such as Ecology, Genetics, and Anthropology). Sometimes multiple verses on one organism or topic provide an extended story-line across successive poems. In addition, several stylistic vignettes recur throughout the book, such as: (a) "On the Farm", which ranges from barnyards to fish farms to oyster farms; and (b) "Let's Play Jeopardy", where the reader guesses an animal from poetic clues the author provides.
Each little jingle can be read as a stand-alone offering a quick chuckle or biological insight. But watch out-these poetic tidbits can be as addictive as popcorn, such that some readers will feel compelled to consume each chapter and indeed the entire book at one sitting! Covering nearly every creature that any amateur or professional biologist has ever heard of, these pun-filled limericks provide humorous insight into each critter or its peculiar habits, in a sharply witty and cutely informative way.
List of contents
Mammalogy (mammals).- Ornithology (birds).- The Life of a Couple of Birds.- Herpetology (reptiles and amphibians).- Ichthyology (fishes).- The Life of a Fish.- Entomology (insects).- Invertebrate Zoology (other than insects).- Microbiology (microbes).- Botany (plants).- Anatomy, Physiology, and Medicine.- Ecology.- Ethology (behavior).- Evolution.- Genetics.- Anthropology: The Human Saga.- Appendix: Famous Animal Phrases.
About the author
Normally a far more serious scientist, John C. Avise is a Distinguished Professor of Ecology and Evolution at the University of California at Irvine. A member of the National Academy of Sciences, The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society, Avise has published more than 350 scientific articles plus 30 books on a wide range of biological topics related to genetics, ecology, evolution, natural history, and the human condition.
Summary
Hundreds of animal species provide the cast of characters for these newly composed bio-limericks, arranged into 17 chapters by taxonomic group (such as Birds, Fishes, Insects) or biological subject (such as Ecology, Genetics, and Anthropology). Sometimes multiple verses on one organism or topic provide an extended story-line across successive poems. In addition, several stylistic vignettes recur throughout the book, such as: (a) “On the Farm”, which ranges from barnyards to fish farms to oyster farms; and (b) “Let’s Play Jeopardy”, where the reader guesses an animal from poetic clues the author provides.
Each little jingle can be read as a stand-alone offering a quick chuckle or biological insight. But watch out—these poetic tidbits can be as addictive as popcorn, such that some readers will feel compelled to consume each chapter and indeed the entire book at one sitting! Covering nearly every creature that any amateur or professional biologist has ever heard of, these pun-filled limericks provide humorous insight into each critter or its peculiar habits, in a sharply witty and cutely informative way.
