Otus Opus – Zoology Poetry
By Laura Ruohonen Erika Kallasmaa
An enclyclopedia in verse about strange and wonderful insects and small animals. A thrilling collection of fact-based animal poems featuring over 30 cat-sized creatures and smaller: meercats, flying squirrels, sea snake, hedgehogs and bumblebees. The factual texts are accompanied by exhilarating animal art. This stunningly different fact book has notions of Eric Carle’s illustration style and delicious madcap poems. The book has been published simultaneously in Finnish and in Swedish, the skilful translations of the poems are by Annika Sandelin. Each animal also comes with its own piece of music by classical guitarist Petri Kumela, the original edition is accompanied by an app to play the music.
Publishing information
Reviews
"Bouquet thick, ripe and sweet, you can’t find anything as fine. Otus Opus includes miniature compositions dedicated to creatures smaller than a cat, created by Finnish and international composers. Fact-based poems combined with freshly crisp illustration and a controlled layout that also appeal to adults.”
"The poems are written and translated with great humour and ingenuity, and it is noticeable that Sandelin herself has rhymed a lot about bizarre animals and creatures."
A visually rich lyrical animal guide.[...] Otus Opus has been a boost for illustrator Erika Kallasmaa to renew her expression range into an entirely new and imposing direction.[...] Ruohonen's animal verses share facts about various animals, often with titles that are likely to appeal to a child. [...] Among the facts, Ruohonen has sneaked in familiar anarchy and recklessness from previous poem collections.
“Insightful, surprising and rhythmic rhymes that delicately illustrate the features of each different creature. Fresh and expressive illustration of the poems presents each being as individuals and utilizes each widespread in its entirety. Shared facts of each creature are fascinating picks from the animal world that form a balanced entirety together with the poems.”
"Kallasmaa's quirky illustration complements the album by Petri Kumela."
