The Surprising Lives Of Animals: How They Can Laugh, Play And Misbehave!

The Surprising Lives Of Animals: How They Can Laugh, Play And Misbehave!

This vividly illustrated book, aimed at children aged 6 and older, shines a light on the animal kingdom like never before. Perfect for young animal lovers, The Surprising Lives of Animals is a captivating reading experience that will amaze children and deepen their understanding of the world around them. Did you know that some animals giggle and play just like us? Or that certain animals build their homes, stockpile their food, and use tools? In this fascinating book you?ll learn about the things that humans and animals have in common. From team work, exercise, and self-care to dancing and getting into trouble, you?ll discover that, actually, animals are a lot like you! Visiting underground burrows and grassy savannahs, watery realms, and towering tree tops, this book will take you around the world on a journey of discovery. Meet the monkeys who love to take baths, or the penguins who toboggan for fun. Hear the stories of escaping honey badgers, sneaky spiders, and clever crows. Or find out if animals can really talk. You?ll see plenty of Earth?s creatures, from creepy crawlies to mega mammals, and you?ll learn about their lives, habitats, characteristics, and behaviors-and uncover what makes each of them so surprisingly similar to us humans. Look out for ?Scientist Spotlight? boxes too, to learn about some important scientists and conservationists, such as Sir David Attenborough?nd Dame Jane Goodall. From School Library Journal Gr 2-5-A veteran author of more than 200 children's books, Claybourne has crafted a diverse compilation of vignettes about the lives of animals. Each double-page spread contains information about one aspect of an animal's daily life, such as making friends, solving problems, and what animals do when they (or a friend) feel unwell. Each spread covers multiple animal classes, so penguins and tigers-or armadillos and monkeys-might appear under the same topic. The organization allows readers to chew on bite-sized chunks of information over a length of time or to devour the whole book in a matter of hours. Murphy's whimsical, detailed illustrations fully support and invigorate the text. The marriage of the text and illustrations is so successful that the volume would be incomplete without either. A table of contents, glossary, and further reading recommendations are included. Every few pages include a "Scientist Spotlight" that celebrates a notable person in animal science. The use of regional colloquialisms (such as "get on" or "fall out") could confuse some readers who are unfamiliar with the phrases. Nonetheless, readers of all ages will enjoy learning about familiar and unfamiliar animals and their behaviors. VERDICT A good addition to children's animal collections at home, school, or public libraries.-Kristin Unruh, Siersma Elementary School, Warren, MI About the Author Anna Claybourne is a widely published children?s nonfiction writer. She lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, with her two children. Her book, Amazing Evolution, was published by Ivy Kids in 2019. Stef Murphy is an illustrator based in London, UK. She has previously illustrated Shine-a-Light: In the City and Vikings in 30 Seconds for Ivy Kids. Her artwork is carefully crafted to spark delight and intrigue.