Book Review: Ocean Hide and Seek

Ocean Hide and Seek
Written by Jennifer Evans Kramer
Illustrated by Gary R. Phillips
32 page picture book
Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2009

Can you spot the clown fish, the catshark, the piperfish or any of the other creatures lurking beneath Gary R. Phillip’s mysterious beautiful sea? It’s a game of hide and seek and the reader of this book is invited to play.

Along the way, we learn different ways sea creatures protect themselves from their enemies. Jennifer Evans Kramer’s repetitive, rhyming text introduces each creature and the unique way in which they stay safe. You will see an octopus form itself into the shape of a dangerous snake. Some creatures camouflage themselves by being transparent, like the jelly fish. A parrot fish can make a sleeping bag cocoon from their own mucus. We learn in the For Creative Minds section at the back of the book that this cocoon covers their scent and makes it difficult for predators to find them.

Readers will learn about these creatures and many more in Ocean Hide and Seek. What are you waiting for? Dive in!

This book was reviewed by 'wild' writer Kim Hutmacher.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Round-up posted at Tales From the Rushmore.

Interview with Wild Author Scotti Cohn

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:

I have been writing poetry and fiction since I was about eight years old. Around that age, I received my first rejection letter from Walt Disney Studios for a book my best friend and I co-authored. I loved fairy tales as a child. Teachers and librarians had to practically coerce me to read nonfiction. Later in life, I discovered how much I enjoy researching a subject and presenting it to my audience in an accessible, entertaining manner. Behold: The Nonfiction Writer! I should add that I'm currently working on several fiction projects. Fantasy is my favorite genre both for reading and writing. Oh - and I have five cats.

WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM?

My ideas for children's nonfiction arise from my fascination with animals and the natural world. I have also written six nonfiction books for adults related to American history. In those cases, the publisher proposed a topic and I agreed to write the book because I was intrigued by the subject.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?

For my children's books, sitting down and actually writing is the hardest part for me. I tend to let ideas tumble and turn in my mind, day in and day out. It's almost as if I fear that putting words on paper would be like capturing and caging a wild creature. I worry that something will be lost.

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?

One of the strangest facts I have learned is that scientists believe that black wolves are the descendants of offspring born to wolves mating with domestic dogs -- probably the companions of the earliest Native Americans. Read more here: http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/02/blackwolves.html

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK.

One Wolf Howls arose out of an interest in wolves that became very strong about ten years ago. I didn't really "decide" to write about wolves. The concept and words for One Wolf Howls formed in my mind in 2003, and I followed through. Beginning in 2004, I submitted the manuscript to 22 publishers before Sylvan Dell picked it up in 2007. I was thrilled when I learned that Susan Detwiler would be doing the illustrations, and I am totally in love with her treatment of One Wolf Howls. I also love that the book appeals to toddlers at certain levels, while also containing information and images that engage older children.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

Awrroooooooooooooo!

Scotti was interviewed by 'Wild Writer' Laura Crawford.

Book Review: Animal Poems of the Iguazu

Animal Poems of the Iguazú
Written by Franciso X. Alacron and illustrated by May Christina Gonzalez
Children's Book Press, 2008
Ages 6 and up, 32 pages

Award winning poet Francisco X. Alacron takes young readers on an enchanting journey through Argentina’s lush rainforest. Its inhabitants—mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects—introduce themselves in their own unique poetic voices. Butterflies describe themselves as "… multicolored flowers of the air." The yellow-billed toucan boasts that he has "two papaya slices for a beak." And the ants candidly share their views about the human sightseers who are so busy taking pictures of each another that they fail to notice the many small wonders at their feet.

In addition to noting the endangered creatures of Argentina’s Ybira Reta ("Land of the Trees"), this collection of twenty-six bi-lingual poems also celebrates the mist and magic of the dazzling Iguazú Waterfall, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Gonzalez’s vibrant mixed-media images, crafted of stunning cut-paper backdrops and vivid paintings of each creature in the forefront, are perfectly paired with the eloquent, yet kid-friendly English and Spanish poems.
Animal Poems of the Iguazú includes several footnotes and a passionate introduction by the author advocating the protection of all endangered species. This inspiring collection, printed on 100% recycled paper, is an ideal resource for students and nature lovers of all ages.

Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

This review is part of the Nonfiction Monday round-up posted at Mother Reader. Go check out all of the great posts!

Nonfiction Monday! Book Review: One Wolf Howls

One Wolf Howls
Written by Scotti Cohn
Illustrated by Susan Detwiler
32 page picture book
Sylvan Dell Publishing, February 2009

One wolf howls in the January moonlight-
night light, dim light, midnight sky.
One wolf howls in the January moonlight
deep in the woods where the moon hangs high.

The rhythm of Scotti Cohn’s text transports readers into the world of wolves. In perfect time, we sing, dance, track, hunt and play alongside our wolf friends. We get to observe their varied habitats, rituals and behaviors. And if that were not enough, we also get to count to twelve and learn about our months and seasons.

Detwiler’s illustrations are magical. My favorite spread shows a pack of wolf shadows dancing in and around a lake in the moonlight. The wolves, playing in the wild, are stunning. The words and pictures intertwine beautifully and seamlessly in this spread and throughout the entire book.

One Wolf Howls is a book that can be used and enjoyed across the curriculum. It would be a lovely addition to any home, classroom or library bookshelf.

Reviewed by Kimberly Hutmacher

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday round-up. L.L. Owens is hosting this week. Go check it out!

Book Review: In Arctic Waters

In Arctic Waters
Written by Laura Crawford, illustrated by Ben Hodson
Ages 4-8, 32 pages
Sylvan Dell Publishing

Curious youngsters who wonder which animals live in the bitter Arctic Circle will find answers in the delightful rhyming picture book, In Arctic Waters. This cumulative tale introduces the hardy Arctic fish, "small and quick," that circles an ice floe in the frigid water. He is chased by the beluga whale, "blubbery and thick," who in turn discovers that a narwhal, "big and strong" is right on his tail! Seal then comes "bouncing along," and so the story continues as the walrus and polar bear join in the merry chase. But their play is abruptly aborted when an Inuit, armed with a harpoon, lands on their iceberg. Sensing danger, the animals know they must flee the hunter, but how? Luck is with them, and the animals hurry, scurry splash, and dash to another, safer piece of ice.

Geared for children ages four to eight, In Arctic Waters offers a spirited introduction to the Arctic ecosystem. Crawford’s joyful, repetitive text follows the pattern of "The House that Jack Built," which makes for a delightful read-aloud, while Hodson’s cheery illustrations add a dash of whimsy through the animals’ comical facial expressions.

A five-page educational supplement at the end of the book called "For Creative Minds," contains amazing facts about the featured animals and their frigid environment. Additional activities and resources are posted on the publisher’s website. Ideal for classroom use, "Learning Links" and "Teaching Activities," can be found at http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/.

Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer.

Book Review: Paws, Claws, Hands and Feet

Paws, Claws, Hands, and Feet
Written by Kimberly Hutmacher
Illustrated by Sherry Rogers
32 pages, Ages 3-7

"Waking, shaking, feel the beat;/ paws, claws, hands and feet.."

So begins Kimberly Hutmacher's delightful debut picture book about a boy and his sister who take an imaginary trip to observe playful critters from Africa, Australia, the Antarctic and jungle. Focused on the various ways animals use their hands and feet, the siblings watch in fascination as a monkey climbs a tree, a frog leaps onto a lily pad, and a lion uses his claws to mark his territory.

Written in a poetic "terse verse" form, the simple rhymes leave room for the reader’s imagination, while vibrant, large-sized illustrations underscore each animal’s activities. One double page spread that depicts a benevolent elephant with the boy-adventurer riding atop his back, is pared with text that reads, "Roaming, romping/prairie stomping." The rhythmic text continues on the next page: "Hipping, hopping/outback bopping." Rogers’ cheery illustration portrays the delighted boy peeking at a kangaroo through his binoculars.

When the adventure ends, the boy falls asleep in his bedroom among his books and toys. Observant readers will enjoy searching this final illustration for the science and nature book titles on the boy’s bookshelf. They may also be delighted to notice that the stuffed animals represent the creatures featured in the story.

The four-page educational guide at the end of the book offers additional activities and fun facts about the various ways animals use their hands and feet. Further teaching materials can be found at the publisher’s website: http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/.

Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer.