CHILDREN'S BOOKS Creature Features:


Dinosaurs Author-illustrator Natasha Durley explores common features of animals and dinosaurs in each of these bright, large-sized books. Young readers will explore interesting commonalities, such as animals with enormous eyes, excellent ears, or huge horns and dino-


saurs with beautiful beaks, amazing armor, or creepy claws. The books in this series are sure to engage readers aged 3–7 and support their learning about animal features and classifi- cations. – (NC) Big Picture Press, 2019; ISBN 978-1-5362-1504-5 (hb); 24 pp.; US$17.99 / CDN $23.99 from www.candlewick.com


Orangutan Hats and Other Tools Animals


The Grizzly Mother This stunning non-fiction text reads like a story without anthropomorphizing the animals. It follows a mother Grizzly Bear through the seasons as she teaches and guides her cubs to independence. The Indigenous influence on the understand- ings, text, and illustrations are authentic and integral to the overall appeal and


success of The Grizzly Mother as an engaging, sought-after picture book. It is recommended for ages 9–12 but is acces- sible and appealing to a much wider audience. Written by Hetxw’ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson); illustrated by Natasha Donovan. – (NC) HighWater Press, 2019; ISBN 978-1-55379-776-0 (hb); 32 pp.; US$23.00 from www.highwaterpress.com


Use For many years, it was commonly thought that humans were the only beings on the planet clever enough to use tools, but more and more information is being discovered all the time to disprove that. Richard


Haynes introduces young readers (Grades 2–5) to animals from around the world that are using tools in some fascinat- ing ways, for health and hygiene, for defense, for food, and for comfort. Who knew that we’re not the only ones to floss our teeth, wear sunscreen, or dig up our food with a shovel? The book is packed with interesting facts about how animals have learned over time to make their lives easier through the use of tools. Stephanie Laberis’ illustrations have a whimsi- cal quality to them that bring the topic to life and engage the reader. It will be a fascinating read for those who choose to explore. – (VU) Candlewick Press, 2021; ISBN 978-1-5362-0093-5 (hb); 48 pp.; CDN$23.99 from www.candlewickpress.com


Grasshopper In this wordless picture book, read-


ers will be drawn into a young girl’s exploration of a wonderful garden and many of the insects that exist there. When she accidently causes harm to a grasshopper and collects it in a jar, she begins to see the impact of her investigations and interven- tions. Intended for readers aged 4–7,


this wordless wonder delivers its message to readers of all ages. Illustrated by Tatiana Ukhova. – (NC) Greystone Kids, 2021; ISBN 978-1-77164-692-5 (hb); 56 pp.; US$24.95 from https://greystonebooks.com/pages/kids


AnimalKind It is always useful to “walk a mile


in someone else’s shoes.” Inter- estingly, the “shoes” — or rather hooves, paws, and claws — that this book of cartoons lets us walk in are those of nonhuman animals in a hypothetical world in which


humans and nonhuman animals have exchanged places so that the animals treat us the way that we humans too often treat them in our current world! It is not always a pretty pic- ture, but it is an accurate one, and the book’s insights are softened by the humorous tone and the playful drawings done by child artists. And maybe the drawings are telling us, “If children can see this, why can’t we adults?” A great book for promoting perspective-taking and empathy in a light-hearted, palatable way. Written by Alaka Rajan Skin- ner. – (GJ) Affirmativa Pte Ltd, 2021; ISBN 978-9811820120 (pb); 27 pp.; US$8.29 from www.amazon.com


Good Morning, Takaya Living on Vancouver Island means the students in my Nature Kinder- garten all know about Takaya the wolf and how sadly he was shot by a hunter in 2020. When seeing this book, these little ones were excited


and nervous to hear this story. All of the children were sur- prised and happy to learn about Takaya and his interactions with the natural world. The book follows Takaya from morn- ing to night, as he encounters nature one color at a time. This small-format book is full of beautiful photos and is written in rhyme. – (AS) RMB, 2021; ISBN-978-1-771605052 (pb); 32pp.; CDN$10.00 from www. rbmbooks.com


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