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MY FIRST BOOK OF WILD ANIMALS

Name: MY FIRST BOOK OF WILD ANIMALS
Author: National Wildlife Federation
ISBN: 978-1-62354-029-6

From the National Wildlife Federation series

by National Wildlife Federation ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 11, 2014

While full images of all of the animals would have been preferable, this is a simple and useful introduction with...

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Lions, tigers, bears and more for the youngest readers.

A howling wolf, a herd of wildebeest and a stampeding rhinoceros are among the others shown on single- or double-page spreads accompanied by simple labels in a bold, high-contrast type. Many of the images, credited to a long list of wildlife photographers in the backmatter, are quite breathtaking, such as the eagle in flight and a dolphin leaping through the waves. Some pictures are strangely cropped, particularly the hippo, the tiger and gray whale, and unfortunately do not give little ones a sense of the entire animal. The companion book, My First Book of Baby Animals, is almost identical in form and structure, but it lists the name for each baby animal (kit, cub, calf, etc.) along with the animal’s name in the caption. Some of the same animals are repeated in both books, such as lion, panda, polar bear, elephant, kangaroo and gorilla. Several of the critters are shown with a parent; a cygnet rides on a grown swan’s back, and a foal is nicely framed by a full-size zebra.

While full images of all of the animals would have been preferable, this is a simple and useful introduction with eye-catching images. (Board book. 6 mos.-2)

Pub Date: Feb. 11, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-62354-029-6

Page Count: 22

Publisher: Imagine Publishing

Review Posted Online: Feb. 18, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
MY FIRST BOOK OF ANIMAL OPPOSITES
by National Wildlife Federation

- BOOK REVIEW
MY FIRST BOOK OF FUNNY ANIMALS
by National Wildlife Federation ; photographed by National Wildlife Federation

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2016

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.

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A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.

Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)

Pub Date: July 5, 2016

ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3

Page Count: 16

Publisher: HMH Books

Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK MAKES A FRIEND
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
TIME FOR SCHOOL, LITTLE BLUE TRUCK
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S VALENTINE
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

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THE WILD ROBOT PROTECTS

From the Wild Robot series , Vol. 3

by Peter Brown ; illustrated by Peter Brown ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 26, 2023

Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.

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Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.

When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.

Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)