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By Beverly and Dereck Joubert
National Geographic, 2011
ISBN #978-1426307812
Grades PreK-3
Nonfiction
“As we lie in our tent at night in the African bush listening to the barks, chirps, twitters, and roars of the animals around us, we understand that all these animals have their own way of talking. We’ve filmed and photographed these creatures for many years and have come to know them very well. Each animal is different, just like you and me.”
This alphabet book is filled with short fact blurbs and large, exquisite photographs of African animals centered on the alphabet theme by the authors, who have spent more than 25 years in Africa. Familiar and not-so-familiar animals are presented in the spreads and come following a map of Africa showing the terrain and a short introduction about finding more words in the text that begin with that letter.
Readers and listeners will find the pictures appealing and the layouts draw the reader’s attention to some of the “Did You Know” text boxes. Back matter includes more short facts about each animal presented, a glossary, and more information and web sites.
The appeal of this book is that it appeals to a wider age range than most alphabet books and would be a fun read, reference, introduction to animals, or an excellent way to introduce Africa. From pictures to facts, this is a terrific book and would make a great gift, too.
Activity
Make an alphabet book of animals from your state, region, or country. Look up animals and make a book as a group of individually. If you are working with young children, assign each child a letter of the alphabet to research. Write 2-4 facts about the animal, draw a picture, put it in a category, and try to use alliterative words in the animal facts.
National Geographic has animal information for kids.
This site has child-friendly information.
National Science Standard: structure and function; growth and development
Book provided by publisher.
Pingback: African Animal Alphabet « SimplyScience Blog
September 13, 2012 at 9:20 pm
Great choice, Shirley! Thank you for the guest post. At NC Teacher Stuff, I am featuring How Things Work In the House:
http://ncteacherstuff.blogspot.com/2012/09/stem-friday-how-things-work-in-house.html
September 14, 2012 at 7:39 am
Animal alphabets… I love ’em. Over at Archimedes Notebook I’m taking a field trip to a bridge: http://archimedesnotebook.blogspot.com/2012/09/field-trip-to-bridge.html
September 14, 2012 at 3:00 pm
In the better late than never department, I have a review of “Sinking and Floating” by Mark Weakland at http://blog.wrappedinfoil.com/2012/09/captain-kidds-crew-experiments-with-sinking-and-floating/
I love the beautiful photography on the cover of the animal alphabet book and the way the baboons are coming out of the B.
Have a great weekend. I think I am hosting here next week…