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    The Children's Book Review

    Kids’ Books Gift Guide: Animal Lovers

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze5 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Ages 9-12 Animal Books Book Lists Gift Books Picture Books
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    By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
    Published: November 15, 2010

    There is nothing like inspiring a young mind with a good book that is rich in scientific facts delivered with pizazz and rich illustrations or startling photographs. In order to tame your wild one—or at least tap into his belief system—lessons in animal humanity and conservation are not to be missed. Many experts suggest that self-esteem, self-confidence, non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy are all strengthened when a child learns to take care of an animal.

    The following books have been selected because they showcase unique stories, poems, or fascinating facts, that have been combined with expressive illustrations or photographs. Let your wild one loose, I assure you there is a book here that will captivate him.

    Let the wild rumpus begin …

    Kids Book for Animal Lovers: Carnival of the AnimalsThe Carnival of the Animals (Book and CD)

    by Jack Prelutsky (Author), Camille Saint-Saens (Creator), Mary GrandPré (Illustrator)

    Reading level: Ages 6-12

    Hardcover: 40 pages

    Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; Har/Com edition (August 24, 2010)

    Source: Publisher

    Wow, this book is a real treat! Renowned poet Jack Preutsky and the illustrator of the Harry Potter books, Mary Grandpré, have teamed up to recreate the most deliociously illustrated and retold version of Camille Sain-Saëns’s The Carnival of the Animals. Like I said before, WOW!

    Add this book to your collection: The Carnival of the Animals (Book and CD)

    Kids Book for Animal LoversOrangutans Are Ticklish: Fun Facts from an Animal Photographer

    by Steve Grubman with Jill Davis

    Reading level: Ages 3-7

    Hardcover: 40 pages

    Publisher: Schwartz & Wade; 1 edition (June 8, 2010)

    Source: Publisher

    Gorgeous and playful photographs take up most of the page space, they are combined with entertaining animal facts printed in large text. This book is a definite winner!

    Add this book to your collection: Orangutans Are Ticklish: Fun Facts from an Animal Photographer

    Kids Book for Animal LoversScientists in the Field: The Frog Scientist

    by Pamela S. Turner (Author), Andy Comins (Photographer)

    Reading level: Ages 10 and up

    Hardcover: 64 pages

    Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (July 1, 2009)

    Source: Publisher

    This book is a part of the acclaimed Scientists in the Field series. It gives readers the chance to get up close and personal with frogs and discover how the survival of frogs and the health of our environment are inextricably linked. Fascinating.

    Add this book to your collection: Scientists in the Field: The Frog Scientist

    Book Just One BiteJust One Bite

    by Lola Schaefer (Author), Geoff Waring (Illustrator)

    Reading level: Ages 4-8

    Hardcover: 32 pages

    Publisher: Chronicle Books (September 1, 2010)

    Source: Publisher

    A great introduction to what animals eat and how much they eat in just one bite. The life-size illustrations that were rendered in brush, crayon, and computer, are completely inviting and complimented nicely with the large, come-and-get-me size of this picture book. A great selection for the smallest animal and nature lovers who are eager to learn.

    Add this book to your collection: Just One Bite

    Kids Book for Animal LoversSmithsonian’s Backyard: Little Black Ant on Park Street

    by Janet Halfmann (Author), Kathleen Rietz (Illustrator)

    Reading level: Ages 4-8

    Hardcover: 32 pages

    Publisher: Soundprints Corp Audio; Har/Com edition (January 31, 2010)

    Source: Author

    This is a great book for kids that spend a lot of time in their own backyard. The story is entertaining, it answers familiar questions, and is illustrated in a comforting, painted fashion. With the Smithsonian Institution seal of approval, you can’t go wrong.

    Add this book to your collection: Smithsonian’s Backyard: Little Black Ant on Park Street

    Kids Book for Animal LoversJunior Buddy

    by Craig Hatkoff

    Reading level: Ages 4-8

    Paperback: 32 pages

    Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (October 1, 2010)

    Source: Publisher

    The New York Times bestselling author team, the Hatkoff family, is comprised of a father and his two daughters. They create books that encourage humanity through real-life animal tales—Owen and Mzee is their most famous. This particular story is about a special jaguar who lives in Belize Zoo. It has been formatted into a Level 2 Scholastic reader and is perfect for kids who are ready for some new vocabulary and longer sentences. The Hatkoff books are always favorites with kids and parents.

    Add this book to your collection: Junior Buddy

    Kids Book for Animal LoversLeo the Snow Leopard

    by Craig Hatkoff

    Reading level: Ages 4-8

    Hardcover: 40 pages

    Publisher: Scholastic Press (October 1, 2010)

    Source: Publisher

    From the same team that was mentioned above comes another beautiful tale of the rescue of Leo the Snow Leopard and his relocation to the Bronx Zoo in New York. With lovely photographs for imagery and important facts, this book is a great introduction to wildlife conservation.

    Add this book to your collection: Leo the Snow Leopard

    Kids Book for Animal LoversThe Ice Age And Incredible Pre-Historic Animals

    by Arcturus Publishing

    Reading level: Ages 6-9

    Paperback: 32 pages

    Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (November 1, 2010)

    Source: Publisher

    A great stocking stuffer. A factual paperback book with fun, novelty 3-D glasses.

    Add this book to your collection: The Ice Age And Incredible Pre-Historic Animals

    Kids Book for Animal LoversWhat in the Wild?

    by David Schwartz (Author), Yael Schy (Author), Dwight Kuhn (Photographer)

    Reading level: Ages 4-8

    Hardcover: 44 pages

    Publisher: Tricycle Press (August 24, 2010)

    Source: Publisher

    What in the Wild? Exactly! This is a book for those that delight in the bizarre. The photographs are sharp and intriguing and are paired with poems that offer clues so that the reader may decipher which animal is starring in the mystery picture. An engaging and mind-tingling book for young readers.

    Add this book to your collection: What in the Wild?

    What to Read Next:

    1. The Children’s Book Review Turns One
    2. Best Non-Fiction Picture Books of 2014
    3. Random House Children’s Books’ Holiday Gift-Giving Guide! Lasting, memorable gifts for every age
    4. The Children’s Book Review Trends: What’s Hot in September, 2009?

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Andy Comins Camille Saint-Saens Craig Hatkoff David Schwartz Dwight Kuhn Geoff Waring Jack Prelutsky Janet Halfmann Jill Davis Kathleen Rietz Lola Schaefer Mary GrandPré Pamela S. Turner Steve Grubman Yael Schy
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    Bianca Schulze
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    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    1 Comment

    1. Janet Halfmann on November 17, 2010 8:41 am

      Thanks so much for including my book, Little Black Ant on Park Street. Happy Reading to all!

      Reply
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