Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborouogh. Written by Hayley Rocco and illustrated by John Rocco. G.P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Random House. 2024. $26.99 ages 6 and up

 

"When he grew older, David went to a 
university to learn more about the wild 
places and the things that lived there. 
Understanding how the natural world 
worked was more important to him 
than studying politics, languages, or 
the history of queens and kings.

And the more he discovered, the 
more David wanted to share what 
he had learned with others."

Readers are told in the first line of this book that David is one of one type of animal (human) from the 8.7 million types that inhabit our planet. That's a pretty awesome opening statement and certainly focuses attention on a man who has spent most of his life making a difference. At the time of his birth, 'more than two-thirds of our planet was covered in wild places'.  

While still young, Sir David fell in love with these wild places. Throughout his life, he has worked to share that love with many and to teach us what must be done to protect what has not already been destroyed. While telling Sir David's amazing story, Ms. Rocco also expands on the story of our planet and how our actions have had a detrimental impact. 

As a broadcaster, he worked on a television program about nature and introduced viewers to all types of animals, explaining what was so special about them and knowing that the more people knew, the more they would care. If people were excited about what he could share in the studio, imagine what might happen if the programming acturally happened from the wild places! 

"So David started travelling all over the planet,
filming animals in wild places people had never
seen before. He became our connection to the natural world."

This homage to his work invites young readers to see the impact one person can have, and encourages all to look carefully at what has happened to the wild things and wild places whose numbers are shrinking day by day. His worry has led him to work with scientists to discover methods for 'rewilding' Earth. His suggestions make perfect sense. 

"David has spent his lifetime 
showing us how every living thing 
on this planet is connected." 

His hope is that everyone will do their part to make our world a better place for all. 

John Rocco's detailed and compelling artwork, using pencil, watercolor and digital paint, holds attention from the book's cover forward. Readers are able to watch Sir David grow from childhood until today. His visual messages are clear as he places urban landscapes alongside the wild places to show just how much the world has changed. Back matter includes an author's note, a selected bibliography, a section on rewilding with ideas for helping, and a list of the main problems and their solutions. 

If we take care of nature, 
nature will take care of us.

              - David Attenborough
                                                                                 

Listen to the Earth, written and illustrated by Carme Lemniscates. Tilbury House Publishers, Firefly. 2022. $11.95 ages 6 and up

 

"We can find a balance. 
The Earth whispers the way
to hearts that listen. 

To move the date, we need to 
reduce our global footprint.
We need to use fewer resources,
leaving more for future life, 
and generate less waste so that 
the Earth can absorb what we 
produce. And the good news is 
that we already know how."

This is another call to action, not meant to frighten but to encourage using what we already know to make the changes we need to make for a better future. Using the work done and published by the Global Footprint Network, Ms. Lemniscates presents for her readers the concept of Earth Overshoot Day. 

"the date when human demand since the beginning of the year exceeds what the Earth can produce and absorb in an entire year." In 2022, the date was July 28. I think it's a good guess that the date has changed since then. In fact, last year it was August 2. Would you guess that is has changed again for 2024? 

She explains to her readers that what we are doing right now is sure to affect the future of the planet. We, as a global community, already know many of the ways we can help to move the date. As we have been reminded many times, it begins on a personal level. What we do makes a difference, and may encourage others to follow our lead.  Or, if we see others making changes that we see as possible, we can follow theirs. It has to start somewhere. These are valid and doable actions. To expect the whole world to follow some of the suggestions is more unlikely. But ... 

Artwork is created using watercolor, acrylic, and collage. They help encourage interested listeners to consider how children can help. There are plenty of ideas presented; the planet offers warnings. Will we listen? Worthwhile discussions can surely be the result of sharing this book on Earth Day in hopes that some solutions are within reach for all of us. 

Sidebars are created in relation to Earth Overshoot Day. Back matter offers internet connections to the Global Footprint Network and Project Drawdown, which both make suggestions for change. There is also a compiled list of how making these changes can move the date day by day to a much better future. Very informative and comprehensible. 

Check out https://www.earthday.org/ for further ideas and information. 
                                                                             

Go and Get with Rex, written by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House, 2024. $23.99 ages 3 and up

"Great! When I count to three, 

GO and GET 

something that begins with the letter 

                      F!

One ... two ... three! 

ZIP! ZAP! ZOOM!

Back already? That was fast!
Let's see what you found."

That is the premise for this terrific new book by a veteran pair of collaborators. Jack, Jill and Rex (a dog) are taxed with finding something that starts with a given letter of the alphabet. Jack and Jill follow the rules to the 'letter'; Rex, who has a grand love for ducks, is always able to explain why a duck is his go-to answer for each letter provided.

The game continues. Kids will absolutely love the search results. With each new letter, the resulting text becomes wordier and more descriptive. 

"a MOUSE! 
And the way she's making a meal of
that Muenster, she must be hungry!
Mouse does indeed begin with the 
letter M!"

The surprise ending is perfect. Asked to find something that begins with D is certain to lead readers to expect that Rex is sure to return with a duck. Rex, as with every other search, has a perfect explanation (WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!) for the choice he makes. The final spread is a culmination for this apt lesson in the sounds that letters make. 

Mike Wohnoutka's artwork is familiar and exactly right for bringing meaning to the text and providing all that young readers need to make this experience the best it can be. 

When you are looking for books that insert phonics into learning to read in a meaningful way, this is exactly what your kids need. It holds their attention, it is full of energy and enjoyment, it is creative, and it will definitely encourage them to take what they have learned here and try it for themselves.  
                                                                             

Being Home, written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Michaela Goade. Kokila, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Etsi says we're on a new path. 
One that leads us to
our ancestors' land
and to our people. 
I'm ready." 

The young Indigenous narrator is quick to share her feelings about living in the city. She doesn't like the noise, the rush, the chaos of too many people in one place. It's getting busier with more people, and has less of the natural landscape that she loves. She misses her family who live too far from where she is. 

Not to worry much longer. Moving day is here, and she and her mother are leaving. She says goodbye to house, tree and swing. The time has come to change their tempo. (I love that image!) Mama (Etsi) is as happy as her daughter to be moving back home to family. 

As they go, the child makes a drawing of their route in her notebook and asks the inevitable question: Are we there yet? Very soon, they are! They are met by family members who welcome them with open arms and a willingness to get their belongings inside before settling in for a family picnic, time to explore, a visit with familiar animals, and added time to play together. What joy for all! 

"No more faraway family. 
Close enough to gather, eat, 
laugh, dance, and share."

Being home is something very special for everyone involved. So lovely! 

Michaela Goade used 'watercolor, colored pencils, pencil, gouache and digital techniques' for the brilliant artwork that gives further meaning to Ms. Sorell's meaningful text. She makes the transition from the urban landscape to the friendly happiness of a more natural environment in colors that glow with life. The pages from the child's notebook are a perfect representation of all she anticipates as they travel nearer and nearer to their new home.   

I Want 100 Dogs, written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by Claire Keane. Chronicle Books, Raincoast. 2023. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Maybe 50 dogs. 

How would you train 
50 dogs? 

SIT! 

STAY! 

COME!"

The story starts with a huge ask: "I want 100 dogs." Her parents grimace while asking to see where all those dogs might sleep. The little one has an answer, as improbable as it might be.The child reduces the number by 10 each time she makes a new request. Each time the parents offer am answer that is cause for further thought. Her parents admit it might be interesting, but they do have a question about the enormity of the numbers presented ... 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10.

"Okay then, I just want 10 dogs. 

How would you clean up after 10 dogs
when they go number 2? 

You mean I'd have to ...

YEP."

Finally, she resorts to realism, asking for just 1 dog. Her parents are delighted they have avoided catastrophe. Who is smarter in this battle for a much-desired companion? I wonder.   

Digital, detailed illustrations evoke the humor found in the requests and responses. The parents are attentive to the child's wishes and carefully consider the scenarios that would fill their house, pool, yard and life should they fall prey to the demands for an exorbitant number of puppies. The accompanying artwork is filled with humorous expression as each number is considered and dismissed. 

So much fun to read. I read it yesterday to a group of kindergarten and grade two children. They were both attentive and entertained by the idea of such a request and had lots of comments to share. Their many smiles said it all!                                                                                   

What's New, Daniel? Written and illustrated by Micha Archer. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"He runs to the pond and calls out, 
"What's new?" 

"Winter is over!" Blackbird says, 
landing on the cattails. 
The cattails answer too. "We're 
sending our seeds off in the wind.""

It's so good to see Daniel again. It's spring; he and Grandpa are meeting in the park next door for a grand time spent together. They are very happy to see each other. Grandpa is interested in knowing 'what's new?' Daniel has not done enough exploring to provide an answer. He knows what he must do to be able to share with his grandfather. 

Off he goes. First, he visits his favorite rock. Rock explains that he is soaking up the welcome sunshine. He lets Rock know that he can whistle - pretty impressive. Hearing another distinct whistle from a redwing blackbird, Daniel is off to do more exploring. He finds the birds at the pond, and the cattails, and a mother duck and her ducklings. Wow! There is so much to see in spring. 

The polliwogs are excited to be growing legs. Daniel explains that his legs are growing, too. Off he goes at a run! New leaves for the trees, new skin for the snake, new nest for Squirrel's babies, and a rest for a returning butterfly. Wow! He has so much to share now with Grandpa. He can't wait! Grandpa is duly impressed with all that Daniel has to report. All this is reported before Daniel wonders 'what's new?' for his much- loved companion. 

As was the case in the first books about Daniel (Daniel's Good Day, Daniel Finds a Poem) the illustrations are quite remarkable. Done using acrylic inks and patterned collage papers, they hum with the beauty of the community, the park, and Daniel's adventures. His world is so bright and welcoming; Daniel is fully at home in the park with his grandpa close by.                                                                                

Great Gusts: Winds of the World and the Science Behind Them, written by Melanie Crowder and Megan Benedict, illustrated by Khoa Le. mit KIds Press, Pengun Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 10 and up

"Can you ever really know the wind? 

Lift your face to the breeze - 
let it bathe your cheeks
sift through your hair 
tease your fingertips. 

                      Listen 
while the wind whispers
its name."

Each of the poems that are included in this book about the science of wind is presented in a similar way. The varied poetic forms and expressive descriptions take readers to many different places in the world. While some of the terms will be familiar, there are others that are possibly new and worthy of explanation: katabatic, oroshi, maestro, willy-nilly and ghibli. One poem, accompanied by an informative paragraph about the wind of the world graces each double-page spread.  

Exemplary digital artwork provides windy backgrounds, with undulating lines and an accurate look at the place where these winds occur. Back matter includes further facts about winds, how they are named and that most of the poems are free verse, while a few are written according to local poetic traditions. A world map shows where the winds blow, and a glossary repeats and defines bolded words from the text. Finally, there is a list for further reading for those whose interest is piqued by the book they have just finished. 

Science teachers will appreciate having this book in their collection. 

"Squamish

In the far Northwest, 
where peaks graze the sky
and water runs wild through the land, 
the wind howls, angry, 
funnels through fjords
chasing, diving, ripping 
polar air pushing 
against its mountainous confines 
                                     until ... 
out on the sea 
it's free. 

The Squamish is an intense gap wind that flows out through the fjords of British Columbia over the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean. It's caused by an arctic weather system with anticyclonic winds that form over Alaska and Canada in the winter. These winds can reach hurricane force and bring blizzard conditions."