themes: animals, nonfiction, observation
by Geraldo Valerio
40 pages, ages 2-5
Owlkids Books, 2016
Here they come... Canadian animals running, jumping, swimming, and roaring your way! Now arriving....
Each spread introduces one - or more - wild animals from Canada.
What I like about this book: It's fun! I like the language: "big bold Bison" and "exuberant Muskox". I also like the cut-paper collage art. And there's Back Matter! Additional facts about the featured animals.
by Karin Ireland; illus. by Christopher Canyon
32 pages, ages 5-9
Dawn Publications, 2017
Have you ever spent a day in nature? Did you notice how peaceful it was? ... Everything moves at its own pace to do what it does best.
Using a variety of examples of how plants and animals exist in their natural environment, Karin Ireland assures youngsters that they can learn many things from nature. When it's time for a baby bird to leave the nest, it spreads its wings and flies. So, too, children can do what they set their minds to. Her gently encouraging words offer opportunities for children - and the adults who love them - to learn from nature.
"Fish don't try to grow feathers... Warthogs don't try to climb trees." Each animal is special and has its own natural way of living in our world. So do we.
Beyond the Books
Make a cut-paper collage of a wild animal you've seen. Maybe it's a bird that's visited your feeder, or a skunk that digs up your lawn at night, or a dragonfly. Use construction paper, newspaper, magazines, scrapbook paper, tissue paper, wrapping paper or any kind of paper you can find.
Find a natural spot where you can sit quietly and observe for about 15 minutes. Stay as still as you can and watch and listen to the plants and animals around you. What did you notice?
Today we're joining others over at Perfect Picture Book Friday, an event in which bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's site. She keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. Review copies from the publisher.
Adorable animal books today. Elementary school libraries can never have enough of these.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read more about an exuberant muskox! Language play is so much fun! And then sitting quietly in nature, what a different kind of experience for today's kids, right?
ReplyDelete