A thoughtful nature book that asks sharp questions.
Former elementary school teacher Baker presents a nonfiction children’s book about reptiles that encourages critical thinking.
In a series of comparisons Baker presents seemingly conflicting opinions about such creatures as alligators, lizards, and snakes, and then asks readers to analyze arguments on each side—both of which are backed up by scientific fact. On a two-page spread titled “Alligators Are Excellent Parents,” for instance, readers learn how alligator mothers build camouflaged nests to protect their eggs from predators; this is juxtaposed with “Alligators Are Terrible Parents,” which presents a less-positive portrait of alligator fathers, who sometimes inadvertently eat their offspring. Turtle shells could be considered lifesaving, because slow turtles can’t outrun many predators; however, if they didn’t have heavy shells, they would be faster and more easily escape. In support of the statement that snakes aren’t dangerous, the author offers statistics: The reptiles kill about five people per year in the United States, but it pales in comparison to dogs, who cause 43 deaths. Baker then points out that venomous snakes are extremely dangerous, biting millions of people each year and causing long-term health problems. Another comparison asks if lizards are pests or helpful insect eaters. Tortoises are shown to be high-maintenance pets, but also quiet, calm alternatives to cats or dogs. After presenting all these opinions, Baker asks readers to write their own, using prompts such as “Do you think it is fair to expect an alligator mom to keep all of her eggs alive?” The author presents readers with many fun and thought-provoking reptile facts, and the colorful design and stock reptile photos will engage young readers’ attention. The final assertion that “you do not have to agree with every opinion you read—even if the facts are true!” is a lesson that may be difficult for youngsters to parse. Still, Baker repeatedly encourages readers to think for themselves with pointed queries, such as “What does the author think is important? Do you agree?” and “Is the author trying to influence your emotions by making you sad, angry, or disgusted?”
A thoughtful nature book that asks sharp questions.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Jan. 6, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among
Pete, the cat who couldn’t care less, celebrates Christmas with his inimitable lassitude.
If it weren’t part of the title and repeated on every other page, readers unfamiliar with Pete’s shtick might have a hard time arriving at “groovy” to describe his Christmas celebration, as the expressionless cat displays not a hint of groove in Dean’s now-trademark illustrations. Nor does Pete have a great sense of scansion: “On the first day of Christmas, / Pete gave to me… / A road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” The cat is shown at the wheel of a yellow microbus strung with garland and lights and with a star-topped tree tied to its roof. On the second day of Christmas Pete gives “me” (here depicted as a gray squirrel who gets on the bus) “2 fuzzy gloves, and a road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” On the third day, he gives “me” (now a white cat who joins Pete and the squirrel) “3 yummy cupcakes,” etc. The “me” mentioned in the lyrics changes from day to day and gift to gift, with “4 far-out surfboards” (a frog), “5 onion rings” (crocodile), and “6 skateboards rolling” (a yellow bird that shares its skateboards with the white cat, the squirrel, the frog, and the crocodile while Pete drives on). Gifts and animals pile on until the microbus finally arrives at the seaside and readers are told yet again that it’s all “GROOVY!”
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among . (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-06-267527-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 19, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Say hello to a relatable and rewarding early reader!
Fun with friends makes for a great day.
Norbit, a salmon-colored worm with a pink kerchief, joyfully greets the day and everyone he encounters. “Hello, friends! It’s time for fun with the sun! Let’s play!” He and his menagerie of forest pals—including the sun, who grows limbs and descends from the sky—exuberantly engage in various forms of physical activity such as jumping, going down a slide, spinning around, and watching the clouds go by. Young readers will readily relate, as these are games that most children are familiar with. As day turns to night, Norbit says farewell to Sun and welcomes Moon with an invitation to continue the fun. Watkins has created a vivid world of movement and merriment. Her illustrations feature bright bursts of color that match the energy of the text, with most sentences ending in an exclamation point. The author/illustrator incorporates many elements that make for an ideal early-reading experience (despite the use of a contraction or two): art free from clutter, text consisting of words with only one or two syllables, and repetition and recurring bits, such as a continued game of hide-and-seek with Sun. Inspired by never-before-seen sketches from the Dr. Seuss Collection archives at the University of California San Diego, this is the first title for Seuss Studios, a new imprint for original stories from “emerging authors and illustrators” who “honor Seuss’s hallmark spirit of creativity and imagination.”
Say hello to a relatable and rewarding early reader! (author's note) (Early reader. 5-8)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9780593646212
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Seuss Studios
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2024
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