Tag Archives: animal fiction

The Museum of Willa and Wade

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written by Judith Henderson and illustrated by Sara Sarhangpour

Willa the ostrich and Wade the penguin discover a shiny golden button on the ground and proceed to gather more treasures (a rock, toy dinosaur, artwork by Wade) for a museum (a box). They are so excited about their collection that they invite the other animals to their museum (Museum of Willa and Wade – MOWW). The Grand Opening of MOWW was a success, especially the snacks. And, would it be possible to borrow a rocket ship for the MOWW? Hmmmm..

This simple story of enthusiastic friends, imagination and a few treasures is wonderful. Add in the bright and bold illustrations and you have a winning combination. Readers will enjoy this book and look forward to Book #3 in the Willa and Wade series. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait too long! Recommended.

I’m Longer Than You! An Epic Contest of Measurement

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by Caroline Fisher

Who would have thought that a picture book about measurement could be so fun? Blue Whale and Supersaurus are arguing over which of them is longer. Inchworm comes in and offers to help with the winner buying lunch. It takes inchworm (who is an inch long) 12 hours to measure Blue Whale, who is 1,300 inches long. Inchworm can’t measure Supersaurus, because he has to go into his cocoon. So, in comes centipede (who is a centimeter long) and he measures Supersaurus. It also take 12 hours and Supersaurus is exactly 3302 centimeters long. Wait! What does that mean? Dragonfly saves the day by doing the math and determines that the two behemoths are the same length!

This wonderful melding of math and science into a picture book is hilarious and educational. Readers learn the difference between the customary and metric systems as well as some cool science and end with some little known math terms (check out “zeptosecond”). Accompanying illustrations are cartoon-like and fun. Buy this book and start measuring. Your students will love it! Highly recommended.

Bear Feels Sad

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Written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman

Bear is SAD! All of his friends are off doing other activities, like digging holes and writing poetry and he is alone and lonely. He eats a snack. But, just doesn’t taste the same without friends. He builds a fort and it isn’t fun either. Bear decides to take a walk to pass the long, dreary hours and discovers a field filled with lovely flowers. He find the perfect flower for Mouse and then picks a bouquet of flowers for his friends. He doesn’t feel quite as sad as he walks home to his den with his flowers. Bear hears his friends as he nears his den and they are there to give him gifts from their day. He hands out their flowers and they listen to Raven’s poem. And, Bear is GLAD to be with his friends.

Karma Wilson is the author of several books about Bear and his friends and each rhyming story is more lovely than the one before it. These woodland creatures care for each other and share a wonderful, friendship. This story is a testament to that friendship. The rich, bright colors of the accompanying illustrations are perfect and convey Bear’s melancholy to happiness shift in a natural way. Add this to your library collection!

Wake Up, Moon!

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By Lita Judge

After a winter storm, Squirrel awakens his friends for a fun romp in the new snow. Squirrel, along with Fox, Owl and Bear, take advantage of the clear moonlit night and play together. They slide and glide and build a snowy bear. They smile and laugh and play some more. Finally, the friends become drowsy and return to their woodland homes to sleep, cozily snuggling in for a well-deserved snooze.

The text is simple and rhythmic and the watercolor/colored pencil illustrations add personality and fun to the animal friends at play. Their friendship is noted and their exuberance is clear. Such a lovely book! Recommended.

Cold

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written by Tim McCanna and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki

What is “cold”? It is many things – a desert at night, a bat-filled cave, a deep ocean or a meadow with snowflakes falling. it is a feeling and a promise. And, it is a place where animals and humans live and can thrive.

Told in eloquent rhyming prose and accompanied by gorgeous illustrations, the concept of “cold” is described in a way that draws in the reader, who can imagine the feeling of being cold as they turn the pages. The story is calm and the detailed illustrations convey that gentleness in a beautiful manner.

Explanations of cold and climate change are added to the end, giving some good scientific information in short, accessible paragraphs. Why we have winter and how animals are adapted to the cold weather is clearly noted. The notes on climate change are concise and factual and the empowering suggestions for helping to fight it are realistic for kids and their adults.

This book will be a great addition to your library as a sweet wintertime read aloud as well as a start to a winter weather or climate change lesson. Highly recommended.

Millie, Daisy and the Scary Storm

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written by Crystal Velasquez and illustrated by laura Catrinella

Millie and Daisy are two dogs at Danny & Ron’s Rescue that came there as rescues after Hurricane Katrina. They are a bonded pair and love each other very much. Millie is very outgoing and would love to be adopted while Daisy is more reserved and likes life as it is. Daisy has worked very hard to overcome the trauma of the hurricane she survived. But, lots of stuff still makes her nervous and storms are especially hard for her. A big adoption event comes up and Daisy is so nervous that she comes up with a plan to make Millie think she isn’t her friend anymore, because Millie wants them to be adopted together an Daisy wants to stay where she is. Fortunately, things works out, because the big adoption event is actually a celebration – Millie and Daisy are adopted by Danny and Ron as part of their family! They realize that the best place for the two dogs is right there at the Rescue home. It’s the best day ever!

This sweet story is written in very accessible language and from the dogs’ perspective. Young readers will embrace these two lovable characters and all their friends and be thrilled that the ending is just as it should be – happy for everyone. Add this to your collection. Your young readers will love it!

Singing with Elephants

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by Margarita Engle

Oriol, an 11 year old Cuban immigrant lives in California with her veterinarian parents is a thoughtful, somewhat lonely girl. Things change for her when she meets Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Oriol shares her world of words and learns that in order for change to happen, one must open up and share those words like her new friend. She discovers the strength to do so when a baby elephant that her parents care for is in danger of being sold away from its mother into a life with someone who just wants to use it for entertainment and money. Oriol mobilizes the community with her words and discovers friendships and confidence along the way.

This lyrical story, told in verse form is a beautifully written and carries a message that even the youngest citizens can help the world be a better place. People just need to listen to the words.

Cat Vs. Vac by Kaz Windness

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A relaxing day is ruined for three pets by the arrival of a new vacuum cleaner.The pets must work together to take down the destructive intruder. Part of the “Ready to Read” books, this level one reader is primarily written in two word sentences with many onomatopoeias. Kids will enjoy the lively illustrations and get a kick out of some of the grosser items that end up in the vacuum.

Critter-Cam Monkey Cam by Margie Palatini

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This energetic pre-level one reader follows a monkey as it zips around and encounters other animals. The pages juxtapose the reader’s view of the monkey’s interactions with the monkey’s point of view through the monkey-cam strapped to its head. Most pages contain only one or two words, making it a great book for beginning readers.
This author and illustrator also team up for the adorable Kitty-Cam and Shark-Cam, so kids can enjoy the opportunity to compare the videos the animals are creating.

The Cozy Home: Three-and-a-Half Stories

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Ame Dyckman & Mark Teague

Three friends (Bat, Cat & Rat) are introduced in this book containing three (and a half!) short stories centered around their move into a new home. Personalities are evident from the start. Cat unpacks books and is somewhat serious. Rat unpacks a bunch of joke and prank stuff (he’s the funny one) and Bat is smart and able to turn the tables on jokester Rat in one story. Stories are short (up to sixteen pages) with simple text and few sentences on each page. This accessible book is filled with Mark Teague’s cartoon–like illustrations, colorful and bright. Young readers will feel very accomplished after reading three-and-a-half stories about three friends that live together and care about each other. Highly recommended.