Tag Archives: Animals

Elem. – Animal Battles (Series NF)

Posted on by
Reply

Sommer, Nathan. Animal Battles. Bellwether Media, 2024. $19.95 ea. $79.80 set of 4. 24 p. Grades 2-4. 

Arctic Fox vs. Snowy Owl. 979-8-886-87456-3.
Burmese Python vs. Sun Bear. 979-8-886-87457-0.
Crocodile Monitor vs. Southern Cassowary. 979-8-886-87458-7.
Harpy Eagle vs. Ocelot. 979-8-886-87459-4.

Young readers will have the opportunity to learn more about fierce animal predators in Bellether’s ever expanding Animal Battles series. This reviewer had the opportunity to read the volume entitled Arctic Fox vs. Snowy Owl. An introductory chapter provides basic information about each animal including physical characteristics, habitat, etc. Next, readers are introduced to each animal’s secret weapons. The arctic fox counts exceptional senses of smell and hearing as well as the ability to run fast among their secret weapons. The snowy owl has large wings with comb shaped feathers that enable them to fly silently. They also have excellent eyesight. Each animal’s secret weapons serve as advantages when hunting prey. The attack moves, and tactics of each animal are also profiled. The title concludes with a narrative style chapter in which the profiled animals do battle. Backmatter includes a glossary as well as directions to web resources.

THOUGHTS: This series is sure to hold appeal for fans of animal stories or action-related tales. Fans of fact-style books will also find much to appreciate. The text is enhanced by the inclusion of numerous high-quality photos. Recommended.

598 Animals

Elem. – Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story

Posted on by
Reply

Shaffer, Jody Jensen. Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story. Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. 978-0-593-56552-0. $18.99. Unpaged. Grades K-2. 

Creep, Leap, Crunch! introduces young readers to the concept of food chains. Told in cumulative rhyming verse, the story begins at the beginning of the day (“There was a blue sky with a bright shining sun / a glorious, life-giving, fiery sun. / The day had begun.”). The sun helps the grass grow, a cricket nibbles the grass, a mouse eats the cricket, a snake consumes the mouse, the snake is scooped up by a hawk, the hawk is caught by a fox, and the fox is eaten by a bear. (Note: None of the creatures preyed upon are eaten on page in the illustrations; the fatal attack occurs off page, making this an ideal option for sensitive readers). Readers also learn that not every day is the same. Some days the cricket might jump away from the mouse or the snake might slither away from the hawk, for example. The text is enhanced by Christopher Silas Neal’s colorful mixed media illustrations, which help to bring the animals to life on the page. Back matter includes a glossary that defines and discusses the parts of the food chain depicted in the story.

THOUGHTS: The repetitive cumulative rhyming format of this title makes this book an excellent read aloud option for science lessons relating to the food chain. Recommended.

577 Ecology 

Elem. – The Brothers Zzli

Posted on by
Reply

Cousseau, Alex. The Brothers Zzli. Illustrated by Anne-Lise Boutin. 1st American ed., Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2023. 978-0-802-85609-8. $17.99. Unpaged. Grades K-3.

The brothers Zzli, three bears who have been driven from their home, are looking for somewhere to live. A little girl who lives alone in the forest generously decides to take them in. The brothers Zzli prove to be wonderful houseguests. They are cheerful, complimentary, and gracious. They help around the house and tell hilarious stories. When they organize a party for the neighborhood, however, no one shows up except the girl and her bat-friend. When the girl and her bat-friend go to see the neighbors, they are told that the bears are dangerous, unwanted, and will overrun the forest if this carries on. The neighbors complain to the police, and shortly after a police officer shows up at the girl’s door, her house is destroyed by a suspicious fire. Ultimately, the brothers Zzli and their generous hostess must decide whether to rebuild or set off in search of a more welcoming community.

THOUGHTS: A profound allegory with an invaluable message about acceptance and inclusion, this is a unique take on the subject of immigration and prejudice.

Picture Book       

Elem. – Where Have You Been, Little Cat?

Posted on by
Reply

Jones, Richard. Where Have You Been, Little Cat? Illustrated by Richard Jones. 1st American ed., Peachtree, 2023. 978-1-682-63564-3. $18.99. Unpaged. Grades PreK-1.

When a small gray cat arrives home, her owner asks her all about her day. Her owner wants to know where she’s been, who she’s met, what she’s seen, and how she felt about everything. Was she scared? Was she happy? Was she brave? Beautiful illustrations, rendered in paint and edited in Photoshop, portray imaginative scenes that will delight young readers and inspire them to come up with answers to the owner’s questions.

THOUGHTS: The cat owner’s questions are reminiscent of questions one’s parent or caregiver might ask when their child arrives home, making this an endearing title. The emphasis on how the cat felt about her experiences throughout the day makes this an excellent choice for teaching self-awareness and social-emotional learning. Pet owners and cat lovers will especially enjoy this book.

Picture Book         

Elem. – South American Animals (Series NF)

Posted on by
Reply

Hansen, Grade. South American Animals. Abdo, 2023. $22.95 ea. $137.70 set of 6. 24 p. Grades PreK-2. 

Anaconda. 978-1-098-26181-8.
Llama. 978-1-098-26182-5.
Ocelot. 978-1-098-26183-2.
Poison Dart Frog. 978-1-098-26184-9.
Sloth. 978-1-098-26185-6.
Toucan.  978-1-098-26186-3.

South America contains many unique habitats and is home to a diverse collection of animals, some of which are examined in Abdo’s South American Animals series. Each oversize volume introduces readers to an animal that calls South America home. The volume opens with a brief overview of the South American continent. Then, readers are introduced to an animal. Topics covered include the animal’s habitat, physical characteristics, diet, and reproduction. This reviewer had the opportunity to view the volume on Sloths, which discussed two-toed and three-toed sloths, the slow moving (or at some times, stationary) lifestyle of the sloth, and baby sloths, among other topics. Back matter present in the volume included a page of additional facts, glossary, and link to Abdo’s extension activities and resources online.

THOUGHTS: This series is a nice option for young researchers as well as animal fans. The large, simple text makes the series an excellent non-fiction selection for beginning readers. All readers will appreciate the large, high-quality photos that accompany the text. 

597-599, 636 Animals

Elem. – Buffalo Fluffalo

Posted on by
Reply

Kalb, Bess. Buffalo Fluffalo. Illustrated Erin Kraan. Random House Studio, 2024. 978-0-593-56453-0. 40 p. $18.99. Grades K-2.

Buffalo Fluffalo lives in a stunning valley that features a distant mountain range, majestic pine trees, and a beautiful turquoise lake. But Fluff is a “surly old buffalo / Who was ever so snarly and gnarly and tuffalo.” He stomps on flowers, snorts in warning, and wears his fluff like protective armor. His number one request? “Leave me alone because / I’ve had enuffalo!” Despite his grumpy demeanor, affable critters approach with offers of a handmade hat, a race through prairie dog tunnels, and a friendly chat. Fluff meets each offer with a resounding rebuffalo. But when a sudden thunderstorm soaks Fluff to the skin, his true (very diminutive) form is revealed. Embarrassed, Fluff defensively asserts his toughness, until the animals whose friendship he denied step in and assure him that they like him just as he is. The sun comes out and shines on Fluff, surrounded by all of his new, affectionate friends. Readers may even spot a happy tear in his eye! Author Bess Kalb has written Buffalo Fluffalo in playful, rhyming couplets with vocabulary that is somehow both nonsensical and perfectly descriptive (rain lands with a “spluffalo”). Erin Kraan’s delightful illustrations are rendered through hand-carved woodcuts, Photoshop, and acrylic gouache, creating engaging scenes with a variety of textures.

THOUGHTS: Young readers will identify Mr. Fluff’s guarded posturing and root for potential friends to break through his “gruffalo” persona!

Picture Book

Elem./MG – Ancient Marine Life (Series NF)

Posted on by
Reply

Moening, Kate. Ancient Marine Life. Bellwether Media. 2023-2024. $19.95 each or $199.50 for set of 10. Grades 3-7.

2023

Archelon. 979-8-886-87168-5.
Ichthyosaurs. 979-8-886-87169-2.
Megalodon. 979-8-886-87170-8.
Mosasaurs. 979-8-886-87171-5.
Plesiosaurs. 979-8-886-87172-2.
Sea Scorpions. 979-8-886-87173-9.

2024

Basilosaurus. 979-8-886-87840-0.
Dunkleosteus. 979-8-886-87841-7.
Livyatan. 979-8-886-87842-4.
Orthocones. 979-8-886-87843-1.

Discover extinct animal life with the series Ancient Marine Life! Take a deep dive into the past with this series. The reviewer read the title Megalodon. Megalodon – the massive ancient shark, so massive it is the largest to ever live! Read about its body parts, life, and extinction. Discover this predator’s prey and environment and where it lived with this easy-to-read text for reluctant readers.

THOUGHTS: This series, while containing some difficult words, is a great resource for reluctant readers. Small groups of text, detailed and colorful pictures, maps, and other resources are available for young readers in this series.

565-567.9 Fossils & Historic Life 

Elem. – Life Cycles (Series NF)

Posted on by
Reply

Life Cycles. The Child’s World, 2023. $24.95 each or $299.40 for Set of 12. Grades 2-4.

Merritt, Robin. The Life Cycle of a Butterfly. 978-1-5038-5837-4.
—. The Life Cycle of a Chicken. 978-1-5038-5842-8.
—. The Life Cycle of a Frog. 978-1-5038-5838-1.
—. The Life Cycle of a Human. 978-1-5038-5870-1.
—. The Life Cycle of a Polar Bear. 978-1-5038-5844-2.
—. The Life Cycle of a Snake. 978-1-5038-5843-5.

Owens, L.L. The Life Cycle of a Clown Fish. 978-1-5038-5841-1.
—. The Life Cycle of a Daisy. 978-1-5038-5869-5.
—. The Life Cycle of a Fern. 978-1-5038-5871-8.
—. The Life Cycle of a Ladybug. 978-1-5038-5872-5.
—. The Life Cycle of a Snail. 978-1-5038-5840-4.
—. The Life Cycle of an Earthworm. 978-1-5038-5839-8.

The Life Cycle series provides readers with information on a variety of plant and animal life cycles. The reviewer read the titles The Life Cycle of a Butterfly and The Life Cycle of a Clown Fish. The Life Cycle of a Butterfly provides information on the transformation from an egg, to a caterpillar, to a butterfly, ending back with the egg. Readers explore the detailed information on the butterfly life cycle, with detailed text, up-close photographs, and bonus facts and charts. The Life Cycle of a Clown Fish provides information on the clown fish species’ life cycle. While there are several different types of clown fish, they all go through the same life cycle. Readers will explore this interesting transformation, with detailed text, beautiful photographs, and bonus facts and charts.

THOUGHTS: An extremely well written and detailed life cycle series on popular plants and animals. This series is unique, as it discusses animals and plants that are popular, but not necessarily discussed.

583-636.5 Plants & Animals

Elem. – Worm and Caterpillar are Friends

Posted on by
Reply

Windness, Kaz. Worm and Caterpillar are Friends. Simon & Schuster Book for Young Readers. 2023. 978-16659-2001-8. $17.99. Gr. K-3.

Worm and Caterpillar are similar but different. Even though they are different, they are best friends! Caterpillar is about to go through a big change and is concerned about their friendship. Can two different animals survive such a big change? Will their friendship survive this change?

THOUGHTS: A fun Ready-to-Read graphic novel for beginning readers. Although change happens in life, friendship can last throughout it!

Graphic Novel

Elem./MG – The Eyes and the Impossible

Posted on by
Reply

Eggers, Dave. The Eyes and the Impossible. Illustrated by Shawn Harris. Knopf. 2023. 978-1-524-76420-3. 249 p. $19.99. Grades 3 and up. 

Meet Johannes. A dog who lives on an island with all sorts of friends, various types of birds, raccoons, squirrels, and buffalo. Johannes is free and lightning fast, but the buffalo are not. He is the eyes of the island who works with the other helpers to report back to the buffalo nightly. Johannes loves beauty. He is mesmerized by the rectangles that are being brought into the new building and appreciates all of the natural beauty he is surrounded by. When a large herd of goats are brought onto the island to clean up weeds, Johannes’ world expands in a way he never thought possible. Would his life be forever changed by meeting a new friend? The art in this book is existing landscapes that Shawn Harris added Johannes to in a seamless manner.

THOUGHTS: This Newbery winning title is interesting. Very thought provoking, funny at times, heart wrenching at others. The altered illustrations are fascinating. Harris has added Johannes to each landscape, and it seems like he has always been there!

Fantasy