Time to share on Wednesdays with Alyson Beecher's Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge at her blog, Kidlit Frenzy. available today.
Thanks Alyson! Tweet - #NFPB15
I ended up reading wonderful books about animals this week, real treasures for learning! Hope you'll discover more than one that will interest you.
I'm Trying To Love Spiders - written and illustrated by Bethany Barton
Bethany Barton, with gorgeous illustrations, takes a humorous stance about spiders, trying hard to show how much she (we) should love them, but early in the book, failing (oops!). As the book moves along, spiders really do become more interesting, even enough to appreciate them, as long as they're not inside. Barton includes much good information here.
8: An Animal Alphabet - written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper
Wow, hundreds of animals grace these pages, slowly through the alphabet, and as Elisha Cooper says, "Wait, there's more". Each letter page shows numerous animals starting with that letter, but the "8" enters in by Elisha telling the reader to find the "one" animal that is drawn eight times. Sometimes that's easy because some letters have few animals starting with that letter. And other times, one needs to search well, and count. I imagine young children loving to look and count, plus learn about new animals too. I did. X has only one animal, a small rodent-like animal named "xerus", and Y showed a "yabby". Wait! There's more. At the end, each animal, alphabetically, has a small picture, its name, and one fact about it. Did you know that when coyotes sneak up on prey, they tiptoe? Or that the shell of that gabby I mentioned, a crustacean, will match the color of the water it grew up in? I enjoyed this book very much.
The Most Amazing Creature In The Sea - written by Brenda Z. Guiberson and illustrated by Gennady Spirin
What a wonderful surprise. In this book, the reader doesn't only learn about one "amazing" creature, but a myriad of them, from the small and hidden leafy sea dragon to that heaviest bony fish in the world--the ocean sunfish. Each animal tells its story, the reason it IS the most amazing creature in the sea! At the end, you get to pick which one you believe is the winner, or are they all winners? There is a page of extra information about ocean creatures and organizations that are working hard to keep the ocean safe for all "amazing" ocean creatures. With background detail that highlights the animals in their specific ocean habitat, Gennady Spirin beautifully captures the spirit of each creature in the ocean's swirl.
I've loved reading and reviewing all the above books. As you see from my words, they are great books. But, this next one is amazing.
Big Red Kangeroo - written by Claire Saxby and illustrated by Graham Byrne
Now, I've fallen in love with red kangaroos, or is it the way the story is so well written, with extra specific information in italics? Perhaps it's the amazing dream-like illustrations that show action and setting background so well that one wants to scrutinize all the details, not only the main action of the kangaroos. I learned that they are largest in the species, found only in Australia. The focus is on Red, the male leader of the "mob" (what groups are named), who takes good care of his mob in several situations. Through spare words, and action in the drawings, feelings of contentedness as well as unease showed through easily. The end page wowed me where with added information, Byrne shows the back leg and tail leaping off the page: The End. You really need to see and read this book to appreciate it for its beauty.
I should pick up 8. A friend of the author's had stopped by. It's really been popular at our store.
ReplyDeleteI can see visiting that book again and again with young children, Earl. It's fun to see all the animals alphabetically, and to count! Thanks.
DeleteMy friends keep my picture book bin beside my easy chair filled to the brim! Off to read The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea (in the bin now) and request the others.
ReplyDeleteJust read it, can't wait to share it at book club next week.
I thought it gave so, so much information and as I wrote above, the art is marvelous. Glad you liked it, too, Ramona. Thanks!
DeleteI've read Spiders - read it out loud last week, that was fun! I have the new Elisha Cooper book from the library, can't wait to get to it. All of the others are on my radar but I haven't found them yet. Thanks for the reviews.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy those ABC's Michele. lots of fun. Thanks for telling me about reading spiders.
DeleteI really should pick up "I'm trying to love spiders"..,if not for the kids, than for me! *shudder*.....looks pretty cute, though! :)
ReplyDeleteIt really is fun, Jane. Hope you can find something good in it! Thanks!
DeleteI agree with Jane. I want to like spiders, but I just have an irrational fear that has gotten worse as I get older. But everyone talks about how good the book is.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter tried to be a good model for the daughters, too, Kellee. I understand. It is a good book, though.
DeleteThe look of That Big Red Kangaroo is gorgeous, dear Linda. I will have to find that one from the library!
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely, Myra. Hope you can find it!
DeleteFact Fun, Linda!
ReplyDeleteAppreciations for all these titles - new to me.
Especially I am underlining the Bethany Barton spider book, because of the audience I read too.
Many children living in small apartments in not the best neighborhoods are taught by their elders that spiders, bugs, mice, snakes & rats are really really bad.
And sometimes they know a rat has bitten a kid or even a baby, if they live in
awful apts. or trailers that should be condemned. This is the reality of "nature" for
some kiddos.
I try to bring them new information about creatures, without disrespecting their elders. It's an area of great interest to me - making nature seem something to like & even admire, for kids who have heard otherwise since baby days.
Thank you, Jan, for sharing your story of what you've been doing. The spider book is both funny and tells quite a lot of interesting information about spiders. It will be a good choice I think, for your audience.
DeleteSo many wonderful titles. I have been seeing the spider book raved about all over the blogosphere. I think I have it coming through Junior Library Guild sometime in the next few months. I will definitely seek out Big Red Kangaroo.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Crystal, It is a good book to have, perhaps especially now that the spiders want to move into our "warm" spaces. We need to find ways to do something about them! Enjoy The Red Kangaroo. It's wonderful, too.
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