I received a sample for this review/feature. Opinions expressed are my own.
It is Spring and the weather outside is gorgeous and my family is spending more of our time outdoors. That does not mean we are reading any less though. We often take our books outdoors with us! Arbordale is one of my favorite book publishers as their science-based picture books are amazing. Here are the latest six that make reading time fun!
Oliver’s Otter Phase is a fictional story about a boy that went to the aquarium and saw otters so now he wants to act like one. On each page he tries to do an activity otters do. Like eating like an otter or taking a bath like an otter. Throughout the day he slowly realizes he doesn?t have the same adaptations and it might just be better to be a boy. Big Sis thought the whole book was “ridiculous” but then I caught her acting out like different animals so clearly this “silly book” had her thinking.
Maggie, Alaska’s Last Elephant tells the true story of the last elephant to be held in a zoo in Alaska. Elephants are social animals and in the wild they live in family groups. Elephants, Maggie and Annabelle, used to live together at the Alaska Zoo. Eventually Annabelle died leaving Maggie very lonely. Zookeepers did the best they could but Maggie was not happy. They eventually send Maggie to live at a sanctuary in a warmer climate with other elephants. Now she is happy and at home with her new herd. This is one of those books that can bring out heartfelt discussion between parents and children. Zoos work to ensure the best for the animals in their care?even if the best is not at their zoo. A sad story to start but Maggie eventually gets her happy ending.
Yodel the Yearling is a nonfiction picture book about a baby bear and how he goes about his daily life. Yodel and his siblings have woken up from hibernation and are ready to get out and explore. Nature photographer Mary Holland captures all these important moments of this black bear family’s springtime adventures. Just like human children, the yearlings play, explore and snuggle up with mom for milk. Eventually these yearlings will be grown and have to go off on their own but their Mama has taught them well so they will know what to do.
Read about a female scientist working in the field in The Lizard Lady. She hikes her way through the Caribbean forests searching for critically endangered St. Croix ground lizards. There are no more on the island of St. Croix because of mongooses brought to the island many years ago. The lizards are now only found on surrounding islands in the US Virgin Islands. Readers learn that the life of a scientist can be exciting and rewarding. Co-author Nicole F. Angeli IS the Lizard Lady–can she help save these animals? I especially enjoy that this book features a real-life female scientist. Raising 3 girls myself I know how important it is to show strong women in science fields of study! Maybe the Lizard Lady will inspire my girls to try out the sciences!
Dear Komodo Dragon is the fictional story of two pen pals…a girl and a komodo dragon. Leslie plans to be a dragon hunter when she grows up so she writes to a real life dragon to learn a few things. The letters from the dragon are funny and full of accurate, interesting facts. Readers learn not only about the world’s largest lizard, but also about the dangers they face. As their friendship builds, will Leslie starts to think dragon hunting might not be such a good idea. This book is a cute story and one I certainly never would have thought of! Now my girls want a pen pal…and they are more interested in real life dragons and all because they read this book.
Animal Ears is a fantastic nonfiction book full of photographs of you guessed it…animals ears. From reptiles and mammals to insects and birds readers get to learn about a wide variety of ears in the animal kingdom. The photographs are amazing took look at and are Lil Sis’ favorite part of this book. Even adults can learn a thing or two from this book!
As always with Arbordale books these come with a “For Creative Minds” section in the back of the book with tons of additional information about the book topic and online you can find a teaching activities guide available for print. You can also get these titles in Spanish as well as digital formats including dual-language and interactive books. These educational books definitely encourage kids to learn more about topics in science. Encourage kids to read wherever they go….even outside!
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