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 …
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?