I received a sample for this review/feature. Opinions expressed are my own.
Each new book I read to my girls is a chance for them to go on a new adventure or to learn something new. I make a point to read to each of them every night before bed and it is such an important part of our day. There is something calming about reading before sleep. Arbordale books are some of my 7 year old’s favorites because they each include stories with science or math as the main focus. These new releases are already a hit in my house and really are great books with a focus on S.T.E.M. materials.
Been there, Done That: Reading Animal Signs by Jen Funk Weber and illustrated by Andrea Gabriel is about two kids that want to spot wildlife but it is much easier said than done. Cole and Helena walk through the forest on the lookout for moose, bear and other exciting animals. As they walk along they encounter plenty of signs that animals had been around recently. Through observation and her knowledge of animal behavior, Helena helps Cole learn what each of the signs means: something had been there; something had done that. This is a fabulous book that teaches children that even though they don’t see the animals that doesn’t mean they aren’t around.
Cash Cat written by Linda Joy Singleton and illustrated by Christina Wald tells the story of Gram Hatter and Kat as they set off on an adventure together to help clean up the city park. Gram even folds up a paper to make it into a pirate hat for Kat to wear. While helping clean they turn it into a treasure hunt as Kat finds different coins and even a dollar. Gram Hatter teaches Kat what the value of each coin is. After cleaning up all the garbage Kat adds up her money hoping to have enough to buy an ice cream. She heads to the table to turn in her trash bags and sees a jar on the table for collecting money to go towards the park. Kat knows what she has to do. A great book with a duel message including counting and that it is great to volunteer for local causes.
In Mammals: A Compare and Contrast Book by Katharine Hall the reader learns that all mammals share certain characteristics that set them apart from other animal classes. Some mammals live on land and other mammals spend their lives in water but they all have lungs and breathe air. Most give birth to live young and all feed their young will mother’s milk. These compare and contrast books are a great way to teach younger kids ages 4-8 about animals. Since humans are mammals this is an especially great book for kids to show how we are alike and different from other mammals.
Midnight Madness at the Zoo by Sherryn Craig and illustrated by Karen Jones is a counting book at the zoo that shows a serious game of basketball goes on at night once all the guests have left. Readers count along as the game gets new animals added in and the field of players builds to ten. Of course zebras serve as the referees! A fun book that works on counting and funny illustrations accompany this basketball game at the zoo.
Once Upon an Elephant written by Linda Stanek and illustrated by Shennen Bersani is about the amazing elephant that keeps the African savanna in balance. Elephants dig to find salt for animals to lick, their deep footprints collect water for everyone to drink, and they eat young trees to keep the forest from overtaking the grasslands. It is sad to think about what would happen if the elephants were only ?once upon a time?? Readers get a small glimpse into the importance elephants play in the savanna. Animal conservation is something all kids should learn about and this book explains it in a kid friendly way.
Sharks and Dolphins: A Compare and Contrast Book Written by Kevin Kurtz tells all the differences and similarities of dolphins and sharks. Sharks and dolphins both live in the water and have fins on their backs. Sharks are fish and gets oxygen from the water where dolphins are mammals and get oxygen from the air. Marine educator Kevin Kurtz guides early readers to compare and contrast these ocean predators through stunning photographs and simple in this really great nonfiction text. I have a huge love of the ocean so I particularly love this book. The pictures really are stunning and the book is filled with great information that little ones will enjoy learning.
Tornado Tamer Written by Terri Fields Illustrated by Laura Jacques is a take on the famous The Emperor’s New Clothes. Mayor Peacock declares he will hire a tornado tamer to protect the town from any more tornado disasters. Birds flew the notice far and wide. Travis the weasel arrives to fill the position and everyone instantly believes his promises…everyone except mouse. He says he will build a transparent cover to put over the whole town. Travis? magical cover can only be seen by those smart and special. After giving Travis lots of food, money and time he shows the town his finished product and everyone oohs and ahhs over the soft material. A tornado comes and flattens the town because of coursethe invisible cover does not exist! The town learns a hard lesson. A fun take on a famous story….you can’t believe everything someone says!
These books are a great way to get important topics such as conservation or volunteering across to young readers in an interesting way. At 7 Big Sis is even able to start reading these books on her own (with my help of course). As always each of their books include a For Creative Minds section with several educational extras and fun features online. Their books are available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and in Spanish. My girls love looking over each glossy page and their love of animals only seems to grow.
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