How wild animals became 'Man's best friend'

AWARD-winning children’s poet James Carter has released a new book which explores the domestication of animals.

The latest in a series of poetry picture books about the natural world, the new work's fun and factual rhymes are illustrated by James Munro.

From caveman with wolves, Egyptians and their cats to farming animals, and even animal deities, Us and Them explores how our relationship with many different creatures across the world changed from around 40,000 years ago.

Along with a short rhyming introduction and a contents page, each era in history has its own short poem exploring how our relationship with animals changed during the period. Several information pages at the back of the book include more interesting facts about how wild animals became our pets as well as looking at specific examples of weird

and wonderful pets from different eras in history.

Mr Carter said: "It’s wonderful to be working with the highly creative team at Graffeg on the World of Wild series. Moreover, their choice of illustrator for the books - the fantastic James Munro - is inspired.

"He brings so much vitality and humour to our books!"

The book is described as a "fantastic combination of non-fiction and poetry".

And it the series can be used in Key Stage 1 history or science lessons, as well bedtime reading or home learning.

Us and Them is the fourth in a four-part series of nature-inspired poetry titles by the pair.