Rebecca Rissman is an award-winning children's author. She has written more than 200 books about science, history, art, and culture. Her writing has been praised by School Library Journal, Booklist, Creative Child Magazine, and Learning Magazine. She lives in Chicago, Illinois, with her husband and two daughters.
A dozen denizens of the garden are introduced in brief and bouncy rhyming text and varied color photos on day-glo, cartoonish illustrated backdrops. Though there are no glossaries, labels and arrows make terms clear, but given that most of the photos are close-ups, kids might be confused about each critter's (largely unmentioned) actual size. Playful rhymes may energize a read-aloud, but sometimes lead to a confusion of words (Grasshoppers don't have ears like you, /so they won't hear you saying please./Some do have parts that work like ears, /a bit below their knees.) and forced writing (Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!/Ants like to march in line./They march through the grass/in almost no time!). There is some anthropomorphizing and opining. For example, Bees are trying to do their best, and we should all/give spiders our thanks. A Did You Know? fact, helpful index, and counting exercise or activity round out each oversized title. Overall, this eye-catching and energetic series is a fine choice if your insect collection for this age group needs updating. -- Amy Rowland, Shelter Rock Elementary School, Manhasset, NY School Library Journal, Series Made Simple 11/1/2012-- "School Library Journal"
A dozen denizens of the garden are introduced in brief and bouncy rhyming text and varied color photos on day-glo, cartoonish illustrated backdrops. Though there are no glossaries, labels and arrows make terms clear, but given that most of the photos are close-ups, kids might be confused about each critter's (largely unmentioned) actual size. Playful rhymes may energize a read-aloud, but sometimes lead to a confusion of words (Grasshoppers don't have ears like you, /so they won't hear you saying please./Some do have parts that work like ears, /a bit below their knees.) and forced writing (Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!/Ants like to march in line./They march through the grass/in almost no time!). There is some anthropomorphizing and opining. For example, Bees are trying to do their best, and we should all/give spiders our thanks. A Did You Know? fact, helpful index, and counting exercise or activity round out each oversized title. Overall, this eye-catching and energetic series is a fine choice if your insect collection for this age group needs updating. -- Amy Rowland, Shelter Rock Elementary School, Manhasset, NY School Library Journal, Series Made Simple 11/1/2012-- "School Library Journal"
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