Monday, January 29, 2018

Night Creepers by Linda Stanek & illustrated by Shennen Bersani [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts: As with other books from Arbordale Publishing, the illustrations are well done and engage the reader for their beauty and accuracy. And also, the educational factor of Arbordale books makes them particularly good for inclusion in the elementary classroom, libraries both school and public, and the home. The back pages always include information that provide information suitable for deeper delving into the subject of the book and that take the reader into areas of information associated with the central theme of the book.

In Night Creepers the reader will become acquainted with creatures that traditionally avoid being seen because they are protected by cover of darkness and there is not a lot observation that goes on at night. If you've lived in a suburban area, small town, or country setting you are most likely acquainted with the fire fly. Kids through the years have captured them and placed them in jars in order to watch them twinkle on and off. Hopefully, they kindly released them back to their natural elements. The little fire fly may be a child's only opportunity to see critter activity after dark.

The book is written in flowing prose that will engage the young elementary grade child, but the book can be looked at and "read" to the young child still unable to read. The book is not so "cutsey" that the older, reluctant reader wouldn't be inclined to read. Each two-page spread consists of a "heading" that captures the essence of that Night Creeper critter and in the side bar there is adequate information that explains the nature and behavior of the critter.

I really love the illustrations and like how the artist shows the varying ages of the critters and their activities. Young children will love them.

I highly recommend this book for inclusion in libraries frequented by children, elementary classrooms, and for home use.


Features from Arbordale: 

  • Click for special classroom or directed Teacher Activities  
  • Keywords: nocturnal animals, crepuscular animals, diurnal, night adaptations, light shine, eyeshine
  • Animals in the book: red fox, wolf, bat, flying squirrel, skunk, opossum, bullfrog, firefly, raccoon, owl, bobcat, white-tailed deer
About the book: A perfect nap or bedtime story told with short, lyrical text, young readers learn about crepuscular and nocturnal animals and some of their behaviors. Older readers learn more about each animal with sidebar information.

This nonfiction picture book with a cuddle factor includes a 4-page For Creative Minds section in the back of the book and a 30-page cross-curricular Teaching Activity Guide online. Night Creepers is vetted by experts and designed to encourage parental engagement. Its extensive back matter helps teachers with time-saving lesson ideas, provides extensions for science, math, and social studies units, and uses inquiry-based learning to help build critical thinking skills in young readers.
GIVEAWAY
Begins January 30
Ends February 20 @ 12:01 a.m. EST
Open to USA addresses only
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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Arbordale Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided by and sent directly to the winner by the publisher.

17 comments:

  1. "How do you encourage your child to learn about the different types of animals and critters?" We love nature documentaries!

    "How do you assist your child in understanding how different animals and critters are made to function at different times of the day/night?" It isn't something we specifically think about, but I guess people generally pick this up on their own. This book is really great in emphasizing this topic!

    "1) One other Arbordale book you would like to have" "Meet the Planets."

    "(2) One Arbordale book you would like reviewed here on Chat With Vera" "How the Moon Regained Her Shape."

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  2. I did encourage my children, and now do my grandchildren in learning about animals and nature by reading all kinds of books with them and going to zoos.
    We also learn together in understanding how differnt animals are made to function at different times of the day and night by watching many nature programs. The world and all of its creatures is such a fascinating place!

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  3. One book I would also like to have is Balloon Trees.
    Another I would like to see covered here is Dear Komodo Dragon.

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  4. (1) One other Arbordale book you would like to have - The Lizard Lady
    (2) One Arbordale book you would like reviewed here on Chat With Vera - ABC Safari

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  5. How do you encourage your child to learn about the different types of animals and critters? We read all kinds of books and I include books on animals.
    How do you assist your child in understanding how different animals and critters are made to function at different times of the day/night? We talk about the animals. We visit the zoo also.

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  6. I would like you to review "A true princess of hawaii and read after you!

































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  7. My kids grandparents have a farm. They see the horses, cows, chickens and rabbitts daily

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  8. This looks like a great addition to any library! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday at Mommynificent.com!
    Tina

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  9. When my kids were young we spent a lot of time going on walks at night with flashlights around the neighborhood. We also went cabin camping at the State Parks and enjoyed hikes and stories from the park rangers. The flashlights were covered with red plastic wrap to not scare the animals at night. We were glad to follow the person who had a white t-shirt on, because it glowed in the dark. We heard owls and checked for fox. My kids all took classes at the Nature Center and caught and released salamanders on creek outings. As a family we made "boats" from leaves and sticks and floated them down the stream. We noticed the dams the beavers built redirecting the flow of water. My whole family has a reverence for nature and are aware of the habitat needed for wildlife to thrive and survive.

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  10. My daughter has a natural interest in animals, so if we are in are yard, at the beach, visiting a state forest or wherever I'll ask questions & mention things about animals. Even when she's watching cartoons about animals, like the Lion Guard, I can get her to talk about them.

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  11. Too many nice books to choose. In either order, In My Backyard & The Tree That Bear Climbed

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  12. We own some woods and go there often to look for wild like or evidence of wildlife(tracks etc...).

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  13. Have: Kali's Story: An Orphaned Polar Bear Rescue

    See reviewed on here: Balloon Trees

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  14. Nature walks & wildlife sanctuary visits are great ways to learn about different animals. There are some wildlife sanctuaries that offer nocturnal tours, so you can learn about/see animals at night.

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  15. I would like to own Carolina’s Story & see a review for Felina’s New Home.

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  16. She loves reading books about animals and watching nature programs. We discuss what she reads and sees. We take her for walks in the woods to see animals.

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  17. I would like A day on the Mountain. I would like to see a review of Desert Baths.

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