Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
This is a hilarious, if macabre, book of poetry of "Animal Epitaphs." It provides a variety of possibilities for the way that animals might have died, using puns, word plays and other literary devices to make the short poems humorous, rather than disgusting or sad. As the introductory poem suggests: "Forget the hankies./Read the words/of bugs and fishes,/beasts and birds./They know it's not/all doom and gloom/that's written/once upon a tomb" (5). In addition to the engaging writing, the book also contains beautiful illustrations in dark tones that emphasize the theme of tombstones and death. While I'll admit that it's not for all children (especially those who are die-hard animal lovers), I think many would enjoy it once they are alerted to the author's tone. It would be an extremely useful tool for teaching puns and wit. I might use it as an introduction to that for my high school students as well. With simple rhyme, smirking puns, and slightly sadistic illustrations “Last Laughs” will make you laugh, let’s just hope that it isn’t your last.The epitaph poems in this darkly humorous book are simple and pun-ny, and in general they were passable. Some were clever like Cooked Goose –“He was Canada bornAnd Canada bred,And here he lies –Canada dead.” Others, like Swan Song on the very next page, were not very impressive. –“A simple song.It wasn’t long.”What makes this book of childishly dark poems enjoyable is the even darker illustrations of Timmins. His grey/sepia toned pictures are sparingly splashed with bright color which often spell an animals end. The illustrations more than make up for some of the uninspired poetry, and I’m not ashamed to say that they made me giggle.Assuming they don’t have delicate constitutions, this book should appeal to most boys and even girls with a morbid sense of humor. If you are an animal lover or a member of PETA this book might not be for you.
What do You think about Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs (2012)?
Funniest literary closers for lifeless critters!-Monty Kraucunas
—hsanchez
Groan-inducing wordplay. Love the illustrations.
—helen
another great book read during lunch recess duty.
—Tiffany
