Category: Animals

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Jump Into Spring With A Nest Is Noisy

April has been a busy and exciting month with National Library Week and National Poetry Month. We were so caught up, we almost missed the release of a fabulous new nonfiction picture book perfect for spring:  A Nest Is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston and illustrated by Sylvia Long.

When you think of nests, you probably think of birds like the hummingbirds right there on the cover. As soon as you peek into the book, however, you realize that a whole assortment of animals make nests.

A nest is noisy.
It is a nursery of chirp-chirping… [hummingbirds]
buzzing…[honey bees]
squeaking…[alligators]…

You get the idea. Author Aston has found insects, frogs, fish, alligators, and even orangutans that make nests for their offspring. The reader finds out not just what the different kinds of nests there are, but also what purposes the different nests serve.

The team of Aston and Long have already written and illustrated several award-winning books, including An Egg is Quiet, A Butterfly Is Patient, A Seed is Sleepy, and A Rock is Lively. Because this book follows a similar format, some people might dismiss it with, “Oh, I’ve seen that.” Passing it over would be a mistake, however, because even though it is part of a series with a predictable format, it is still gorgeous and rises heads above many other nonfiction picture books out there.

The only negative aspect of the book is that the designers chose a cursive font for the main lines. Yes, it is lovely, but very few children are taught enough cursive writing to be able to read it fluently these days. No matter, it becomes an opportunity for adults and children to read together.

A Nest Is Noisy is a must for libraries, for children interested in animals, and anyone interested in nature. It would be an ideal gift book for any occasion.

Related:

All About Nests: Nature Activities for Kids at Growing with Science

There’s a free Common Core aligned teacher’s guide (link goes to .pdf) for the books at Chronicle Books.

Age Range: 5 – 8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten – 3
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 14, 2015)
ISBN-10: 1452127131
ISBN-13: 978-1452127132

Disclosures:  I found this book at my local independent bookstore. Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

Come visit the STEM Friday blog each week to find more great Science, Technology, Engineering and Math books.

 

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Octopus Book Makes a Splash

Trips to the beach are likely right around the corner, and what better way to get in the mood than to learn about some ocean creatures?

Could an Octopus Climb a Skyscraper?: …and other questions – Hilarious scenes bring octopus facts to life! (What if a) by Camilla de la Bedoyere and illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff is a lively picture book that compares what an octopus can do with some common human activities, allowing children to easily relate to the information.

This factual book dances on the edge of fiction with cartoon illustrations of funny situations. An octopus that can turn yellow and look like a banana? An octopus that washes a car? Hysterical! At its nonfiction core, however, the child will also learn many current facts about octopuses, such as they have three hearts and blue blood. The facts are repeated to reinforce learning in a “fact file” in the back.

Also in the back is a large map that shows where octopuses live. For some reason, the map fails to indicate any octopuses are found around Australia, which is home of the potentially deadly blue-ringed octopus (I know this because I’ve watched far too many nature documentaries).

Looking for a book to entice a reluctant reader? Could an Octopus Climb a Skyscraper? is an absolutely perfect choice because it has all the elements needed to capture and hold a child’s attention. It would also be a wonderful choice for budding marine scientists, to accompany a trip to an aquarium, or of course, to accompany a trip to the beach,

Suggested related activity:

The last page of the book features a post card from an octopus. To encourage your readers to write, have them make their own pretend postcards or give them real post cards to fill out and send to friends.

pretend-postcard

Also, check for informational videos about octopuses like these:

Amazing:

More informational:

Age Range: 3 – 5 years
Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten
Series: What if a
Hardcover: 24 pages
Publisher: QEB Publishing (April 1, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1609927338
ISBN-13: 978-1609927332

Disclosure: The book was provided by the publisher for review purposes. Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

nonfictionmonday

Looking for more children’s nonfiction books? Try the Nonfiction Monday blog.

 

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Children’s Books about Backyard Animals

This weekend our family spotted a Harris’s antelope squirrel while we were visiting our local botanical garden.

squirrel-at-the-garden

Where can children learn more about animals they might see in their yards or gardens? It turns out we have two new nonfiction titles that are perfect to guide them.

The first, What Can Live in the Garden? (What Can Live There?) by John-Paul Wilkins, explores gardens as a habitat for a number of different animals.

Earthworms, bees, bats, spiders, and foxes all can be seen in backyards. Find out what these animals are doing and how they might relate to one another. Did you know that long-tailed chickadees build their nests from silk from spiders in a similar way that hummingbirds do?

On page 17, the reader finds out that squirrels feed on seeds. The squirrel we saw was harvesting the seeds from the wheat plants.

Age Range: 4 – 7 years
Publisher: Heinemann (July 1, 2014)
ISBN-10: 1484605764
ISBN-13: 978-1484605769

The second new book, Chipmunks (Backyard Animals) by Mari Schuh, describes the habitat and life cycles of these frisky rodents.

How do we know the animal at the botanical garden was an antelope squirrel and not a chipmunk? According to the book, a chipmunk has black stripes. Although it is hard to tell from the photograph, the antelope squirrel has only light-colored stripes. It lacks dark ones.

Chipmunks is filled with big, full-color stock photographs of adorable chipmunks. It also includes a hands-on activity with suggestions for watching chipmunks. The activity could be modified to use with tree squirrels or ground squirrels, as well.

Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Publisher: Capstone Press (February 1, 2015)
ISBN-10: 1491420855
ISBN-13: 978-1491420850

Pick up these, and related nonfiction titles, to find out more about the animals you see in yards and gardens.

Related:

If you can’t get outside to view garden wildlife, check out these lively videos from the BBC

Disclosure: These books were provided by the publisher for review purposes. Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

nonfictionmonday

Looking for more children’s nonfiction books? Try the Nonfiction Monday blog.

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Zoology for Kids

This week we have a fabulous new book from Chicago Review Press,  Zoology for Kids: Understanding and Working with Animals, with 21 Activities (For Kids series) by Josh Hestermann and Bethanie Hestermann, with a foreword by the Kratt Brothers.

Josh Hestermann is a zoologist who works as a marine-mammal trainer at the Aquarium of the Pacific. His wife, Bethanie Hestermann. is a freelance writer. This combination of animal expert and writing expert have created a unique book that includes both an introduction to the science of zoology and an overview of career options for those interested in animals. Children can learn about animal structure and behavior, as well as what it is like to be a zookeeper, veterinarian, wildlife researcher, and conservationist. Sprinkled throughout are 21 awesome hands-on activities to encourage readers to delve deeper and reinforce learning, such as inventing a new species, demonstrating a butterfly’s life cycle and using animal behavior techniques to train a human friend.

The book has some nice extras. In addition to the exciting introduction by TV stars the Kratt Brothers, it also begins with timeline that reveals some of the significant advancements in zoology. The timeline starts with an entry for Aristotle, who is credited as the Father of Zoology and goes to the astonishing discovery of the olinguito (a member of the raccoon family) in 2013. Sidebars contain in depth information, such as discussion of altruism, or quotes from zoologists. Many of the projects also contain suggestions for extensions, labelled as “extra credit.”

As with all the books in the “for Kids” series, although the book is definitely written for middle graders, it is also an invaluable resource for educators. Anyone teaching a unit on animals will want to have a copy of this book on the shelf for project ideas. Librarians will want to have it as a go-to resource for information on animals and career options for those interested in animals, as well.

Many of the projects could be easily adapted for younger children. For example, older kids can make their own bat fruit salad, but younger children would certainly enjoy eating one (dare I say while reading Stellaluna?) Zoology for Kids is one of those rare books that is really for almost all ages!

Related:

Giveaway  for this book and related activities at Growing With Science blog.

Zoology for Kids Website

Age Range: 9 and up
Grade Level: 4 and up
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Chicago Review Press (March 1, 2015)
ISBN-10: 1613749619
ISBN-13: 978-1613749616

Disclosures: The book was supplied by the publisher for review purposes. Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

Come visit the STEM Friday blog each week to find more great Science, Technology, Engineering and Math books.