Animal Land: an Allegorical Fable

Publisher Marketing: "Animal Land" is an allegorical fable of World War II, a la George Orwell's "Animal Farm." The story, written in unique, highly accessible, shape poetry by award-winning poet Leland James, recounts in dramatic action the events of World War II from Chamberlain's appeasement of Nazi Germany to the overoptimistic predictions of eternal peace after the defeat and surrender of Germany and its allies. You will notice animals of fitting character represent historical figures and their personalities. Like "Animal Farm," the story operates on two levels, one level a story that a nine year-old can easily relate to, the second level suited to adult readers. Smiles of recognition and frowns at errors in judgment come rapid fire to the adult reader, while children alternately laugh and become thoughtful as the basic story unfolds. The moral of this fable is timeless and of particular relevance in light of current international events the lessons of World War II being essential to any understanding of the conflicts and potential destructive hegemonies present in each day's news. "Animal Land" entertains and informs in the tradition of the dual relevance of all authentic allegory, being both historically and currently relevant. The book is full of beautiful illustrations by Anne Zimanski, a well-established artist of exceptional talent. The illustrations, like the story itself, avoid the typical children's book fare, striking a rare balance of whimsy without cuteness, such as that achieved by E. H. Shepard in "Wind in the Willows."" Contributor Bio:  James, Leland Leland James was an International Publication Prize winner in the Atlanta Review's poetry competition, the winner of the Portland Pen Poetry Contest, the Writers' Forum Short Poem contest, and runners up for the Fish International and the Welsh Poetry Prizes. His work has placed in several other international competitions, including The South Carolina Review, New Millennium Writers, The Able Muse, Aesthetica Magazine, Morton Marr, and the Bridport Prize. He received the Franklin-Christoph Merit Award for Poetry in 2008. His work has appeared in publications in the US, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, Portugal, Finland, South Africa and Israel. His poems have been selected for inclusion in three poetry anthologies. Contributor Bio:  Zimanski, Anne Gene Brown was born and raised in Manchester, NH. He attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he graduated in 2007. While substitute teaching kindergarten in the months following college he was inspired to write a children's book after reading to one of his classes. He still lives in his hometown of Manchester where he works as a sales consultant for a medical device company. He enjoys working out, cooking, skiing in the winter, and being outside with friends and family in the summer. He's always working on making his dreams become a reality and always will be. You can visit him at www.tylerspumpkinpatch.com as well as ask questions and interact with him personally at www.facebook.com/tylerspumpkinpatch.