Thursday, June 2, 2011

Book Review: The Wildlife ABC & 123 and Small Wonders



By Jan Thornhill
Published by Maple Tree Press/ Owlkids Books
Released on June 30th, 2004
Source- book from publisher for review
Ages- toddler & up
4 stars- We really enjoyed it

Nature leaps off the pages of this magnificent collection. From a single panda to one thousand tadpoles, exotic and familiar animals encourage children to identify and count the wild denizens of the world, while "Nature Notes" provide additional information on each species. This interactive, multifaceted approach encourages dialogue between children and their parents, while stimulating young readers to spend more time with this exquisitely illustrated treasury than with standard alphabet and counting books.

This is a fantastic rhyming book that not only teaches kids about the vast animals that live on our planet, but it teaches them their ABC's and how to count. Pages like:

K is for Killer Whale
In the deep blue sea,

L is for Loon
Who swims excellently

With pictures that will capture their attention, and teach them about the animal world, preschoolers and early readers will enjoy spending time look through this book. My kids loved reading and looking through this book. It's one that is a great asset to have at home and in the classroom setting.



By Marilyn Baillie
Published by Maple Tree Press/ Owlkids Books
Released on August 4th, 2006
Source- Book from publisher for review
Ages- 5 & up
3 stars- It's A Good Read

This amazing journey across North America takes readers from mountains to prairies, to the far north, and into coastal waters to visit animal families in their natural habitats. As they meet a variety of feathered and furry friends, including loons, polar bears, wolves, beavers, seals, and caribou, children learn how the families play, communicate, feed, and learn. Each animal is presented along with interesting facts about its environment. Other facts come from the animal itself; the moose calf, for instance, explains how it will grow huge antlers. Romi Caron’s charming watercolors, full of personality and expression, complement Marilyn Baillie’s lyrical text.

I really liked the unique approach this book takes at capturing young readers attentions. One page talks a little bit about the wild animal baby, mentioning it's habitat, what it likes to do, what it looks like and the following page is from the animals point of view. For example, the Moose page has one page with facts about the moose, like where it lives, what it eats etc. The opposite has the young Moose telling the kids things that it will do when it's older, like sprout antlers. The book has great illustrations and it's a fun way for kids to learn more about wildlife. I read this my kids who enjoyed, although certain parts were a bit harder for my preschooler to understand. I think the targeted age range would be 5 yrs old & up. This book would make a great edition in any K-2nd grade classroom.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~