Reviews
There are so many incredible books available at the moment that it is impossible to read them all, no matter how hard I try! Here are my thoughts about some of the books I have read and how I think they could be used in school as well as Q and A sessions with authors and illustrators.
Blog Tour: How to Chat Chicken
With the help of this book, you can become like Dr Doolittle and talk with the animals-gossip gorilla, babble bee, gab gecko or chat chicken as the fancy takes you!
The lively introduction from author, Dr Nick Crumpton, sets the tone for the book perfectly, encouraging readers to listen to, and observe, their pets and other animals carefully so that they can communicate with them.
Six sections- Prattling with Primates, Noisy Neighbours, Murmuring Minibeasts, Commotion in the Ocean, Wild Words and Wild on the Wing- are bursting with descriptions of how creatures communicate. Cats use chirruping noises when they are excited, croaking gourami fish make frog-like sounds to attract a potential partner and adult crows use a cooing noise to calm their young. It’s a fascinating read and sure to have everyone attempting to chat to the animals around them- and sharing their new found knowledge with anyone who will listen! A wonderful range of creatures is covered with careful explanations, not shying away from the use of technical vocabulary such as stridulation and pheromones which is explained in the glossary. The book also considers how some animals communicate in other ways, such as by the use of smell- and even the use of dialects in some species.
The bright, cartoon-style illustrations are very appealing and easy to dip in and out of. An index makes it easy to locate specific animals, but it is very easy to find yourself reading this one from cover to cover! As National Non-Fiction November approaches (but also at any time of the year!), it is great to remember that there are all styles of information texts to appeal to all styles of readers of all ages. There is as much to engage the 70 year old as the 7 year old here! Any book which encourages children (or any reader!) to really understand their fellow creatures and develop a sense of empathy and understanding can only be a good one!
How to Chat Chicken
Dr Nick Crumpton, illustrated by Adrienne Barman
What On Earth Books ISBN: 978-1804660423
Make sure you take a look at the rest of the stops on the Blog Tour! Many thanks to What on Earth for inviting me to be part it!
Blog Tour: Curious Creatures Talking Together
I am delighted to be taking part in the Book Review Blog Tour for this wonderful book. In fact, I was so keen to share my thoughts that I jumped the gun with my review- but am delighted to share it again - with some additional thoughts - as part of the tour!
Third in the ‘Curious Creatures’ series, ‘Talking Together’ offers another fascinating look into the world of animals and how ‘curious creatures’ communicate. All the signs and signals they use are explored here!
The book explores a whole range of communication skills which animals employ from body language to special sounds, from dazzling displays of colour to pungent pongs. The book also highlights the work of biologists like Jurgen Otto, who has discovered new species of the peacock spider which communicates by performing a hypnotic dance to attract a partner and the work of scientists, Dorothy Cheney and Robert Seyfarth on the differing cries of vervet monkeys. It would be fascinating to use for Guided Reading sessions, with succinct sections of text, full of specific vocabulary, offering plenty to discuss and explore. Sections might also be used as models for children’s own writing of non-fiction whilst the varied habitats included might inspire some map work, locating the places mentioned. The nature of the series- being curious about the curiosities of the animal kingdom- might also lead to researching the most curious facts that can be found, like why wombats have cube- shaped poo!
With ring-tailed lemurs secreting smelly chemicals and whales singing mysterious songs, there is so much to learn about and relish in this book as the author looks at creatures from across the world from tiny ants to gentle, giant elephants. It is a fascinating look at the wonders of the world around us. Perfect for the curious creatures in your own life!
Curious Creatures: Talking Together
Zoe Armstrong, illustrated by Anja Susanj
Flying Eye Books ISBN: 978-1838740351
Many thanks to the lovely Maryam at Flying Eye Books for inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour. I look forward to reading the other reviewers thoughts about the book!
Curious Creatures: Talking Together
Third in the ‘Curious Creatures’ series, ‘Talking Together’ offers another fascinating look into the world of animals and how ‘curious creatures’ communicate. All the signs and signals they use are explored here!
The book explores a whole range of communication skills which animals employ from body language to special sounds, from dazzling displays of colour to pungent pongs. The book also highlights the work of biologists like Jurgen Otto, who has discovered new species of the peacock spider which communicates by performing a hypnotic dance to attract a partner and the work of scientists, Dorothy Cheney and Robert Seyfarth on the differing cries of vervet monkeys.
With ring-tailed lemurs secreting smelly chemicals and whales singing mysterious songs, there is so much to learn about and enjoy in this book as the author looks at creatures from across the world from tiny ants to gentle, giant elephants. It is a fascinating look at the wonders of the world around us. Perfect for the curious creatures in your own life!
Curious Creatures: Talking Together
Zoe Armstrong, illustrated by Anja Susanj
Flying Eye Books ISBN: 978-1838740351
Published on the 3rd August 2023
You can read my review of Curious Creatures: Working with Tools here.
