Category: Animals - READING STYLE GUIDE

Bird's-eye View

5/21/2021

Homer on the Case by Henry Cole

Meet Homer, a carrier pigeon with extraordinary abilities. He always finds his way home, even when he must travel long distances. He also possesses a most unusual trait: Homer reads.

It began when he noticed the newspapers lining his cage. Homer recognized people and places in the newspaper’s photos. Eventually this smart bird connected the pictures with their printed captions. Viola! He became a reader. In addition to news reports, Homer discovered the funny pages and now follows the exploits of comic strip detective Dick Tracey.

Enter a partner: Homer meets Lulu, a parrot who perches on the shoulder of her owner Charlotte. The birds become fast friends and look forward to friendly avian conversations whenever their owners are in the park.

A series of outdoor jewelry thefts come to the attention of Homer and Lulu. They decide to investigate the robberies.

The story’s premise is ingenious. A pigeon has a bird’s-eye view to possible crimes and can fly around, gathering evidence without arousing suspicion. His accomplice has an extensive human vocabulary. These savvy spies find clues and piece together the evidence. Here's the complication: Homer and Lulu must communicate their discoveries, reveal the perpetrators, and recover the stolen jewelry. There is an element of danger, but these are brave little detectives. Homer on the Case is an engaging sleuthing adventure for young readers. Let's hope that there will be more mysteries for this detective duo.

Listen to the author read as he draws a pigeon.

Learn some surprising facts about homing pigeons.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: April 1, 2021 Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company ISBN: 978-1682632543

Applelicious

5/14/2021

Apple of My Pie by Mika Song

Norma and Belly are back with another delectable adventure. Last year the squirrels discovered donuts. Now they venture into the world of pies. Apple pies.

Gramps and Little Bee visit the local farmers' market and unfortunately Gramps falls asleep in a truckload of apples bound for the factory. This could be trouble! Little Bee enlists Norma and Belly to help rescue Gramps from what could be a dismal fate: A squirrel baked inside an apple pie.

The rescuers travel to the Crunchy Acres apple orchard and processing plant. Their search for Gramps lands them in a vat of apples that are about to become pie filling.
There is plenty of clever word play. The squirrels are dumped onto a conveyor with an incline. They note that “things are looking up.” Norma escapes from the apple peeling apparatus and exclaims “that was a close shave.”

This charming tale of friendship is jam-packed with special touches. Fans of Donut Feed the Squirrels will notice cameo appearances from some familiar characters. Song brings the story to a satisfying conclusion, tying together the worlds of humans and squirrels. Apple of My Pie is a delicious treat not to be missed.

More Yummy Books from Mika Song

Just For Fun

Why not create your own tree populated with squirrels? Author Mika Song provides a tree template to download and print. She suggests filling the tree with fingerprints.
Then add details to each tiny print to personalize the furry creatures.
Will Nora, Belly, Gramps, and Little Bee have a place on the branches?

Try making mini apples pies. Fill a small oven-safe jar with your favorite apple pie filling. I used an unusual recipe which features orange and apple juices cooked with apple slices. Details here.
Top with a circle of pie crust pastry. Crimp the edges and pop in a hot oven (about 425) until the pastry is lightly browned. For an easy version, fill jars with precooked filling and top with a crumbled oatmeal cookie. Top with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream. It’s a sweet little mouthful of apple goodness.

Electronic copy accessed via NetGalley.

Pub date: June 8, 2021Publisher: Random House Grapic ISBN: 978-1984895851

Girl's Best Friend

4/22/2021

Pawcasso by Remy Lai

The Chihuahua-sized fib that grew into a Great Dane lie.

From the imagination of Lai comes Pawcasso, a graphic novel about a dog, art, and honesty.

Hoping to escape the confines of a large family, Joanna Lin steps outdoors and discovers a most unusual sight. A basket-bearing dog is heading into town. Intrigued, Jo follows.
She learns that this pup is on a mission. The basket contains a list of items that the dog is expected to procure from local businesses.

Things get complicated when the dog enters Dog Ears, the local book shop. Jo discovers an kid's art class is in session. Young students are thrilled with the appearance of a friendly pup. This is a much more exciting model that an inert pear. They assume that Jo is the dog's owner and ask permission to sketch, paint, and sculpt the canine.
When the shop offers free books in exchange for using the dog as a model, Jo pretends to be the owner and agrees to the terms. In honor of their interest in art, the kids name their remarkable model Pawcasso.

Then Jo learns that the art workshop will continue for five more weeks and culminate in a special art show. She worries. Who is the dog’s owner and where does it live? How can she get the dog to come to Dog Ears with her every week?

To make matters worse, neighbors are concerned that a dog is wandering through town without a leash. The city is divided into two camps: those supporting strict enforcement of leash laws and those that want to make an exception for this endearing animal. Finally, Jo meet's Picasso's owners and confesses her deception. With a little help, Jo brings the opposing factions together to solve the leash law dilemma. She also heals a rift in a neighbor’s family and comes to terms with her father’s work-related absence. Bonus: There is ice cream for everyone!

A surefire hit for fans of mysteries, poop jokes, adorable dogs, and happy endings.

Lai packs her graphic novel with plenty of goodies.

Inventive word play: Pawcasso (canine version of the artist Picasso) Dog Ears (bookstore), Drippy Cone (ice cream shop) and Dippy (short for serendipity)
Contemporary artists Picasso and Marcel Duchamp
An ice cream recipe that is suitable for dogs and "hoomans”

Electronic copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: May 11, 2021 Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks ISBN: 978-1250774491

Wonders and Delights

12/16/2020

Counting Creatures by Julia Donaldson ill by Sharon King-Chai

Looking for a picture book for gift-giving? Consider Counting Creatures. This more-than-a-picture book is an explosion of tactile wonders and visual delights. Presented as a counting book featuring various animal species and their young, it begins with one baby bat and sequentially progresses to ten piglets before leapfrogging to multitudes of caterpillars, tadpoles, and spiders.
This interactive volume invites young readers to predict what will be underneath the next flap. How many babies? What word is used to describe them?
Many terms are familiar, but the young of some species are not well-known. A baby arctic hare is known as a leveret while baby turkeys are called poults.

Rhyming couplets and the repetitive line of text "Who has more babies than that? " make this an excellent book for sharing and reading aloud.

Counting Creatures by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Sharon King-Chai has a wow factor to the max.
The generous size (approximately 8x10.5 inches) features a die cut cover with foil accents. Cut outs continue throughout the book, giving readers a hint as to the animals to be revealed. Art is stunning. Deep rich colors, gorgeously textured shapes, ingeniously designed flaps and tiny details sprinkled throughout the pages will send readers back the beginning to discover the answer to one final question.

Copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: November 24, 2020 Publisher: Dial Books ISBN: 978-0593324530

Fair Trade

11/20/2020

A Long Road on a Short Day
by Gary D. Schmidt & Elizabeth Stickney ill by Eugene Yelchin

On a winter day when snowfall is imminent and daylight is scarce, Samuel and his father set out on a journey. The two are in search of a milk cow.

They hope with a series of trades to parlay Father's Barlow knife (a high-quality pocket knife) into a source of milk for the family’s baby girl. Using his insight into the circumstances and interests of his neighbors, Samuel’s father puts his plan into action. Both father and son are determined to make each trade a satisfactory arrangement for all parties. From a desired timepiece to the fleecy softness of Merino wool for the weaver's loom, neighbors benefit from these exchanges.

In addition to learning the value that an item may have for a specific individual; Samuel learns to approach each person with respect and kindness.

As sunset approaches a neighbor has light glowing in his barn, a lonely window has a volume to poetry to keep her company, and a little girl has a pony cart to take her to school. The family has a milk cow and Samuel receives the secret wish of his heart. All because of a wish, a pocketknife, and an astute father who knows the value of friendship and fairness.

Schmidt is a master storyteller, delivering a tale with succinct narration. Each phrase contains a rhythmic quality and sensory imagery that precisely capture the relationship between father and son, young boy and animals, and a members of a closely-knit community.

Yelchin's illustrations are sublime. Like peering into a snow globe, each image is a magical moment encapsulated amid the swirling flakes.

A Long Road on a Short Day is a short book that is long on wishes and the wonders of a winter's day. A perfect read aloud that will warm hearts.

Electronic copy accessed via NetGalley.

Pub date: November 10, 2020 Publisher: Clarion Books ISBN: 978-0544888364

Digital Woodcutting

10/16/2020

A B C Animals by Christopher Evans

Just when you thought that every possible approach for animal alphabet books has been published, along comes ABC Animals. Christopher Evans’ oversized concept book sets a new standard for elegant graphic design in children's picture books.

A two-page spread is devoted to each of the twenty-six featured animals. The left-hand page displays the animal name, inital alphabet letter using three different fonts (one with textures), and a soft beige silhouette.

However, the showstopper is the facing page: an enlarged close-up of the featured animal rendered as a digital woodcut. These are not photographs produced using special effects.

Using a technique similar to engraving, Evans creates exquisitely textured body coverings. From the prickly hedgehog to the gelatinous nautilus, the iguana scales to vulture’s multiple types of feathers, the variety and beauty of the animal kingdom is awe-inspiring.

Back flap copy describes the artist’s process. Images are hand drawn with illustration software to create digital woodcuts, also referred to as modern-day engravings. “They are somewhere between an impressionist painting and a mechanical drawing.”

Readers of all ages will pore over the images, making new discoveries with each observation. Every page is a work of art worthy of framing. What a glorious tribute to the wonders of the animal kingdom and innovative artistic expression. Stunning!

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 15, 2020 Publisher: Peter Pauper Press ISBN: 978-1-4413-3463-3

They’re Back!

10/9/2020

The Popper Penguin Rescue by Eliot Schrefer

The penguins are back! Countless generations have loved Florence and Richard Atwater's Mr. Popper's Penguins. Awarded a Newbery Honor in 1939, this classic is a staple in home, school, classroom, and public libraries.
Like many readers, I hoped that the story would go on and speculated about what would become of Captain Cook, Greta, and their droll offspring. My wish has been granted. Award-winning author Eliot Schrefer continues the penguin saga with contemporary sensibilities while retaining the charm of the original.

Years after Mr. Popper and Admiral Drake established a penguin colony in the Arctic, a Popper descendant and her children move into the old Penguin Pavilion located in a neighboring Stillwater community. The kids, Nina and Joel, explore the basement and discover two eggs. The decision to take the eggs to school does not turn out well. Nina's egg cracks during a spelling quiz and a playground bully steals Joel's egg. Despite the difficulties and with a touch of Atwater-like magic, the long-forgotten penguin eggs hatch.

These siblings are now caretakers for two chicks christened Ernest and Mae. They wonder: what to do? The local Penguin Foundation offers to sponsor an Arctic expedition to resettle these chicks with the colony established by Mr. Popper and Admiral Drake. There are a few perilous moments. Ernest inadvertently sabotages the boat's central navigation system, causing the boat to run aground. Their expedition braves a blinding arctic storm and below-freezing conditions.

A solution to the Antarctic animals' relocation dilemma is more complicated than the Poppers had originally considered. The conclusion satisfies environmental concerns while preserving the Popper Performing Penguins' legacy.

Schrefer handles the narrative with a light touch. Even the fantastic seems believable. He balances the wildly hilarious with serious threats to the penguins' existence. Ernest and Mae play their own version of chess while snacking on dried squid. There is even a penguin body surfing scene where the birds transport arrivals across the colony. Admiral Drake’s grandson makes a cameo appearance. Schrefer pays homage to the classic tale, neatly tying in elements from the original. Bonus: these penguins canoodle!

Jim Madsen's black and white illustrations are fresh, contemporary, and contribute to the story's appeal.

Oork! Oork! Confetti and ribbons, penguins, and Poppers! The Popper Penguin Rescue will delight fans of the original classic and introduce new generations to the magic of flightless birds in tuxedoes.

Electronic copy accessed via Edelweiss.

Pub date: October 13, 2020 Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers ISBN: 978-0316495424

Digging for Diamonds

10/5/2020

Gnu and Shrew by Danny Schnitzlein ill by Anca Sandu

Meet a most unlikely pair. Gnu and Shrew sit together on the banks of a crocodile infested river. Gnu shares a secret with his friend: a cave filled with diamonds is on the other side of this very wide and deep river. Gnu dreams of someday obtaining the diamonds. With wealth from these gems he could get his own Ferris wheel or perhaps a golden bicycle.
As he imagines the possibilities, the bespectacled Shrew sets to work, figuring out how to cross the river. Gnu’s musings spark Shrew's thought processes. For example a revolving wheel has a possible practical application for a paddleboat design.

It will come as no surprise that Shrew's skill and hard work pay off. He obtains the diamonds and sets off to travel around the world. Success is his.
But what will become of Gnu? Schmitzlein gives this tale of perseverance and friendship a happy ending. The final page offers a hint to the happily-ever-after for this twosome. Hurrah for Gnu and Shrew.

A word about the illustrations. Sandu restricts the main color palette to deep yellow and complementary turquoise This color scheme accents the contrasting natures of the two protagonists. The cover features Gnu dreamily gazing at a butterfly while Shrew, tongue sticking out, is concentrating on the workings of a lightbulb. However, the animals are not drawn to scale. Similar sizes suggest that each character is equally important.

Discussion Guide: Points to Consider

This book can be introduced by inviting readers to view the cover and then consider: What is a gnu? What is a shrew? Which character on the cover do you suspect is the gnu and which is the shrew? Why do you think you may be correct?

Facts about two uncommon animals.

Meet the gnu. This member of the antelope family is native to Africa. The horned animals with shaggy manes and tails are very strong and can run up to 50 miles per hour. Their main predators include lions, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, and crocodiles. Often gnus that attempt to cross a river are attacked and eaten by crocodiles. The gnu is also known as a wildebeest.

Note: The "g" is not voiced. It might be interesting to discover other words that begin with "gn." Hint: gnat, gnome and gnaw are three common words.

Shrews are tiny mole-like animals with long noses and very sharp, spiky teeth. They have small eyes and cannot see well but have excellent senses of hearing and smell. They are very active and need to eat constantly. A shrew can consume from one half to two times its body weight each day! Shrews are venomous. The venom is stored within grooves in the shrew's teeth.
There are 385 different species of shrews. They can be found throughout the world.

Why do you think that the author selected these animals for the story?

The Power of Bold Ideas

There are dreamers like Gnu who imagine great things. There are makers like Shrew who experiment and develop solutions to problems. Together, the two make a great pair. Bold ideas combined with effort can produce remarkable results. In September 1962, President John F. Kennedy suggested that man could go to the moon. At the time it seemed unlikely. The dream was achieved in July 1969 after seven years of planning, testing, and experimenting by a team of technicians, scientists, engineers, and astronauts.

What new dreams might be imagined? What dedicated individuals will make those dreams a reality?

Copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 1, 2020 Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company ISBN: 978-1682631461

Imagine This

10/1/2020

Albert Whitman & Company has launched Imagine This, a stunning nonfiction picture book series. The generous trim size, about 10 inches square, is perfect for sharing with a large group. It also works when laid open on a table (or any flat surface) for a small group to enjoy. Eye-catching illustrations, fascinating factoids, and engaging text make this series a stellar addition to a school or classroom collection. Currently, there are four titles in the series. Informational picture books that are sure to spark questions, promote discussion, and inspire further research.

Blink! (Imagine This!) by Doe Boyle ill by Adèle Leyris

Blink! invites readers to take an up-close examination of a variety of animals’ eyes. Consider these facts: The bay scallop has over sixty eyes. A dragonfly eye is composed of thousands of lenses. Yellow-glowing "eyeshine" behind the bullfrog's eyes helps it see at night. A whirligig beetle eye splits into two different parts for separately seeing above and below water.

Boyle's lyrical verse introduces the eyes of specific animals. Leyris’ larger-than-life illustrations reveal anatomical details. Additional information appears within surrounding animal silhouettes.

Bold graphic design features the animal shapes against a solid contrasting color background. Leyris' richly hued images span the gutter, filling the entire two-page spread.

Back matter contains a diagram of the human eye and description of "How Your Eyes Work," an Author's Note, a list of Resources, and a Glossary.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 1, 2020 Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company ISBN: 978-0807506677

Dragonfly by Aimèe M. Bissonette ill by Catherine Pearson

The evolution, developmental stages, appearance, and behavior of this species are presented in detail. Did you know that a Dragonfly will molt up to seventeen times before reaching adulthood or that dragonflies can fly up or down, backward, forward, and even upside down? Fascinating! This first person narrative is delivered via the species’ collective voice. The text shifts to third person for the informational bits scattered across each two-page spread.

Bissonette introduces readers to precise terminology.
Illustrations, descriptions, and some context clues assist readers with understanding these terms: naiads, nymphs, predators, molting, aviators, external, iridescent.

Pearson's jewel tone full-page illustrations are primarily in complementary shades of purple, blue and gold. Bold shapes, particularly the wings and eyes have a prismatic quality.

Back matter includes an Author's Note which provides additional information, including the insect's environmental impact. Resources page lists books for children and adults as well as sources for activities.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 1, 2020 Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company ISBN: 978-0807558218

Stronger Than Death

8/25/2020

Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger ill by Rovina Cai

Boundaries between the dead and the undead, dreams and reality, animals and humans are all fluid.

Ellie has the extraordinary ability to bring back the dead. Her truest companion is her dog Kirby who died five years ago. After his death, she reached into the underworld for her beloved canine and returned him to her world. Now he usually manifests himself as a shimmering transparency which Ellie and some others can see.

Seventeen-year-old Ellie, an Apache Lipan, has inherited her Six-Great-Grandmother’s capacity to travel to the land Below where ghosts and monsters dwell.
Named Elatsoe in honor of her legendary ancestor Six-Great, Ellie continues the matriarchal task of protecting her family and close friends.

But there are rules. Do not speak the deceased’s name or view an image of a departed individual. While she may return animals to the world of the living, she is not to bring people back from the land Below.

Ellie is devastated when her cousin Trevor dies, leaving his grieving widow and seven-month-old son. Authorities report his death is the result of a tragic auto accident. But Ellie has reason to believe otherwise. In a dream, Trevor's ghost informs his cousin that he was brutally murdered. He identifies his killer and asks Ellie to avenge his death. She enlists the help of her best friend to locate the killer and bring him to justice. In addition to traditional sleuthing methods, Ellie relies on the assistance of a tribal Elder and other spiritualists.

The climax is a thriller which crackles with nonstop action. Look for a ghost dog, a mother-daughter team, vampires, an agile cheerleader, and basketball bridesmaids wearing rhinestone-embellished trench coats to join forces in an epic battle to defeat evil.

Little Badger lightens the tension with wry tongue-in-cheek humor. There is a discussion of veggie burgers that taste like beef because they are made with "plant-synthesized hemoglobin." When the fighting escalates there is a request to “Keep things PG” because kids are present. Ellie fires back “We’re at least PG-13...At least. But I appreciate your consideration.”

The satisfying conclusion holds the possibility of new directions for Ellie that will honor her heritage, prepare her for the future, and bring peace to the family. The final tender scenes may cause the book’s pages to be wet with readers’ tears.

Australian artist Cai's soft ink wash illustrations set off the book's mystical ethereal quality.

Set in south Texas, near the Rio Grande River known to the Lipan as Kunétai, the land is more than setting, it’s an integral part of the story. The way of the Apache Lipan is woven throughout the tale with inclusion of Apache mythology, culture and traditions.

Speculative fiction that explores timeless relationships, family loyalty, the bond between animals and people. Ties which death cannot sever. Elatsoe holds readers under its spell long after the final page.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: August 25, 2020 Publisher: Levine Querido ISBN: 978-1646140053