Spring has sprung and to me that means animals return. Some animals stay through the winter, but many migrate or hibernate. I love seeing the animals. This year we had baby foxes living in our yard. Today we are going to share three books (one board book and two picture books) that are animal themed. And let's face it, most kids love animals! We will start with the board book. It is Maxine the Dog Gets a Job by Alexandra Garyn and Bryan Reisberg and illustrated by Susan Batori. It is recommended for ages 3+.
About the Book:
In this irresistible picture book, the exceptionally adorable global sensation Maxine the Fluffy Corgi teaches your littlest reader the importance of figuring out what they love to do and doing it with their whole hearts!Maxine needs a job. Well, maybe she doesn’t need a job, but she’d very much like one. Her talented dog friends all have jobs, and as a talented dog herself, she should have one too . . . right?
From working as a lifeguard at the beach to pulling a sled in the snow, Maxine tries (and fails at) her friends’ jobs until she realizes the key to finding the perfect job: doing what she loves.
From the humans behind one of the most famous and fluffiest corgis in the world comes a tail-wagging tale about a small but mighty dog named Maxine.
From Me:
This is a fun and humorous book. Maxine wants to find a job. She tries various jobs that her friends do but she is not successful at them. She finally realizes what she is missing is that it needs to be something she enjoys doing and finds the perfect job.
This book is fun and humorous. Kids will love it. It is also a great introduction to what a job is and to find one's own talents. Maxine realizes she enjoys entertaining her friends instead of being a guard dog or other typical dog jobs. Kids and adults will be laughing at her antics and find this a fun read aloud book.
Our next book takes us to the desert. It introduces readers to the horned toad as well as a friendly owlet. The book is Horned Toad Has a Superpower by Jill Esbaum and illustrated by Bob Shea. It is part of the Secret Animal Superpowers Series and is recommended for ages 5 to 8.
About the Book:
A factual (and funny) introduction to the horned toad and its gross but cool “superpower.”The Texas desert may be hard living for some, but not for a little lizard called the horned toad. Between lounging in the hot sun, snacking on ants, and chatting with his new friend Owlet, things are pretty easy. Some might even say it’s a laid back life . . . unless of course he’s about to get eaten. Then, and only then will he show off a trick so wacky and weird, it will make you run for the hills (just like his predators). That’s right folks, this toad has a superpower!
Ready to find out what it is? You won’t believe your eyes!
From Me:
In this fun book Horned Toad is excited to share his superpower as well as other facts about him. Owlet has just left the next and is very curious about what things are and about horned toads. Owlet is a burrowing owl, and the book also shares his superpower. Owlet keeps interrupting Horned Toad asking questions and telling stories. Their conversation adds the humor to the story. It is a fun way to learn about the horned toad and the burrowing owl and makes a great book to read aloud!
I love how the book shares different facts and leads up to the superpower. I also love the ending of the book which I will leave a surprise! The book shares facts like the horned toad is not a toad but a lizard. The head horns are bony whereas the other spikes are spiked scales. There is information about what horned toads like to eat and who the predators are. It is a perfect book for an animal unit or desert animal unit.
Our final book is a poem about one of my favorite backyard visitors--goldfinches. I love seeing the yellow males at my feeders and the less colorful females are usually with them. The book is Goldfinches by Mary Oliver and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
About the Book:
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet gorgeously illustrates the work of Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Mary Oliver for the first time in picture book form.Have you heard them singing in the wind, above the final fields?
Have you ever been so happy in your life?
Mary Oliver, winner of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, is one of America’s most beloved poets. Introducing her unforgettable words to children for the very first time, her poem “Goldfinches” joyfully observes the power of the natural world as only Mary Oliver can.
Illuminated by the exquisite mixed-media artwork of Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet, Goldfinches fills the reader with wonder for the beauty around them and gratitude for the ability to bear witness to it.
From Me:
This beautiful book shares a poem written by Mary Oliver with the gorgeous artwork of Melissa Sweet. The poem shares Mary's own feelings and observations of seeing the bright colored little birds. It shares a bit about goldfinches but also the joy of the people who see them.
The poem and illustrations share the food the birds eat, what they make their nests from and about their eggs and so much more. It is truly gorgeous. I love the simplicity and the joy it expresses. It is a great introduction to poetry as well as goldfinches. It is also just a beautiful book to read.
