Book Review: Whose Nest is This?

Springtime is here. There is work to be done

as animal parents make nests for their young.

Using pebbles, or woodchips, even mud, spit, and leaves-

many creatures make nests…..Whose nests are these?

And so begins the delightful picture book, Whose Next is This? written by our own Wild Writer, Heidi Bee Roemer, and illustrated by Connie McLennan. Each stanza that follows provides a riddle showcased in Heidi’s vivid verse.

A walnut-sized nest rests high in a tree.

Its two pea-sized eggs are a wonder to see!

Fashioned with spider silk, leaves and green moss,

this nest lined with plant fluff is velvety soft.

Whose nest is this?

The opposite page reveals a couple of gorgeously painted hummingbirds. McLennon’s oils on illustration board depict each creature beautifully.

Birds are not the only creatures represented. Readers will also find clues to mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects and sea life. A joy to read and to listen to, children and their adult counterparts will soon be able to identify the nests of the creatures represented and share fun facts about each. Whose Nest is This? is an educational feast for the eyes and ears!

Reviewed by Kimberly Hutmacher.

How To Have Your Book Considered For Review

The Wild About Writing Trio love reading and writing picture books about nature, and we also love reviewing nature related picture books written and/or illustrated by others!

To have your book considered for review, keep in mind the following guidelines:

1. We only consider picture books.

2. We only consider books that are nature related.

3. We only consider books published by traditional trade publishers. We are not interested in reviewing self-published titles.

If your book meets these criteria, please email us at kimberlyhutmacher@gmail.com with your name, email address, the title of the book, summary, name of publisher and the date it was published. We will review your request, and if our interest is piqued and we decide to feature a review of your book, we will email you with further directions about how to submit your work.

Meet Writer Gone Wild Laura Crawford

I am currently the reading specialist at Sleepy Hollow School in the Chicago area. While teaching a science unit on the Arctic region, I became fascinated with the unique animals of the Arctic. The cumulative tale, In Arctic Waters, is the result of my curiosity and was written with my students in mind. I am also the author of The Pilgrims’ Thanksgiving From A to Z , Postcards From Chicago, Postcards From Washington, DC and Postcards From New York City. As you can tell, I love science and social studies. I am an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). In my free time, I love to visit the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago with my nieces Madilynn and Lauren. They love belugas!

My current books
Pilgrims’ Thanksgiving From A to Z- Pelican Publishing, 2006
In Arctic Waters- Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2007
Postcards From Washington, DC- Raven Tree Press, 2008
Postcards From Chicago, Raven Tree Press, 2008
Postcards From New York City, Raven Tree Press, 2008

Coming Soon!
The American Revolution From A to Z- Pelican Publishing, 2009

Book The Wild About Writing Trio

The Wild About Writing Trio are experienced teachers, poets, picture book authors, reviewers and editors who share a love of science and nature. These accomplished authors are delighted to share their passion for reading, writing and poetry with children and adults.

Together, Laura, Kim and Heidi Bee have visited over 100 schools and libraries, bringing their 'Wild' stories to life and teaching children how to create their own 'Wild' stories and poems.

Lively, interactive presentations, either as a trio, duo or solo, will make your students go bananas for reading and writing!

Get booking!
For more information, email us at kimberlyhutmacher@gmail.com today!

Meet Writer Gone Wild Heidi Bee Roemer

I love writing about nature. My mom, an avid gardener, knew the Latin names of many plants and every summer my dad planted a garden. Our homegrown pumpkins were so humungous I couldn’t wrap my arms around them! Not surprisingly, these experiences inspired me to write What Kinds of Seeds are These?, a collection of rhyming riddles that describes seeds and seed dispersal.

Also, as a kid, I sometimes discovered naked, new-born bunnies snuggled in a grassy nest, or a nest holding bright blue eggs. Those serendipitous encounters resulted in Whose Nest is This? a poetry collection focused on unusual nests of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and insects.

My very first children’s book, Come to My Party and Other Shape Poems, also contains nature poems. It’s been praised by reviewers and was nominated for the Monarch Award, Mockingbird Award, and the Great Lakes’ Great Books Award.

When I’m not writing or weeding my flowerbed, you may find me speaking to third graders about poetry, or telling eighth graders what it’s like to be an author. I speak to adults about writing-related topics, too. In my free time I read, workout, and, most fun of all—I skate!
To learn more about me and my books, go wild at my website

Meet Writer Gone Wild Kim Hutmacher

I have written numerous pieces of fiction, nonfiction and poetry for children's magazines and anthologies. I have also written ebooks for the educational website A to Z Kid's Stuff. I served as poetry editor for Wee Ones Magazine for two years, and I'm a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). A few years ago, when gathering material for a science lesson on how animals use their appendages, I had a difficult time finding material geared toward preschool and early elementary students. The seed was planted, and I set out to write a book that would present the materials in a lively and engaging way for younger audiences. The result was my first picture book, Paws, Claws, Hands and Feet, published by Sylvan Dell Publishing in February 2009. Since then, I've gone on to publish 17 more books. I live in Illinois, and when I'm not writing or teaching, I enjoy nature walks (Surprise! Surprise!) and reading.

To learn more about me and my books, go wild at my website!