Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Wildlife scenes unfold in a series of lovely, wordless tableaus as Hegbrook introduces a diverse sampling of animals and ecosystems through images of courtship, growth, and predation. Some illustrations fill entire pages or spreads (a pair of baleen whales circle around a cloud of krill in a dark blue ocean) while others combine starkly different animals on pages divided into rectangular panels (one page juxtaposes praying mantises, baboons, llamas, and a tarantula defending itself against a predator). Readers can interpret each picture for themselves, but Hegbrook also supplies descriptions of the scenes in a closing section ("an Arctic hare's fur changes color with the seasons") for those seeking identification of the animals and their actions. A visually poetic look at webs of life on land, in the air, and underwater. All ages. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Simple narratives about animals and nature unfold through artwork in this refreshingly open-ended work. The book begins with an invitation: "Every picture tells a story. What do you think that story is?" One hundred wordless illustrations are presented for children to examine, interpret, and discuss. From a snake shedding its skin to a baby koala climbing out of his mother's pouch and onto her back, the scenes celebrate the beauty and mystery of nature. Full-page spreads interspersed with vertical and horizontal panels add variety to this sturdy oversize volume. The rich, jewel-tone illustrations are large and bright, ideal for sharing with a group but intricate enough to encourage individual pondering. In the back, Hegbrook offers his own explanation for each scene alongside thumbnails of the illustrations, so readers can check their own interpretations against the author's intentions and learn more about the creatures represented. Overall, the book is conducive to building a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature, while encouraging the development of narrative and critical thinking skills. VERDICT This visually sumptuous volume will be a valuable addition to any library's collection of quality artistic nonfiction.-Suzanne LaPierre, Fairfax County Public Library, VA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A set of wordless images invites browsers to wonder and speculate about the natural world.Beginning and ending with a pair of birds who meet, build a nest, and raise a family, Hegbrooks finely crafted paintings, placed singly or in groups with ample spacing on a page or spread, portray a wide variety of natural scenes. They depict both plants and animals in action in their likely habitats, over time, and in a wide variety of places. The creatures pictured in this oversized album are recognizable even when exactly what they are doing isnt clear. (The last pages provide explanations accompanying small reproductions of each spread.) Some images are obvious: a giraffe stretches its neck to reach leaves on a branch and another spreads its legs, leaning over for a drink. More usually the stories depend on prior knowledge: theres a caterpillar, a chrysalis, and a colorful butterfly. Some turn out to require information the picture cant convey: an owl appears to catch and then drop a lizard. The endnotes explain, a fire salamander releases poison from his pores to fend off a predator, the kind of alarming detail young naturalists appreciate. Small type opposite the title page offers steps for appreciation of this unusual title: observe, inquire, wonder. Twice the author asks, What do you think? A book to return to over a broad range of ages. (Picture book. 3-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
