NNFN2023: Everything You Know About Sharks is WRONG!

It’s day 17 of NNFN2023 with another treasure of a book for this year’s Wonderful Water theme.

Sharks fascinate people and have developed a fearsome reputation- but do they really deserve this? Having challenged readers to reconsider their assumptions about minibeasts and dinosaurs in their previous books, Dr Nick Crumpton and illustrator, Gavin Scott, turn their attention to setting the record straight and debunking many of the common myths about these magnificent creatures!

Each spread starts with the statement of a commonly held misconception about sharks which is then investigated- and proven wrong. Many believe that sharks kill lots of people; however, whilst sharks killed 11 people worldwide in 2021, snakes killed 50,000, cows killed 22 (just in the USA) and bees, wasps and hornets killed 62 people (in the USA). Each spread is packed with fascinating information about these amazing creatures who do not deserve their menacing reputation.

The book is beautifully presented from the embossed cover to the detailed artwork on every page. The tone of the writing is chatty and accessible, presented in easily-digested chunks and many illustrations have labels and/or close up sections to support and deepen understanding. A helpful glossary explains technical terms used within the text whilst the index makes it easy to locate specific information. Where there is an element of truth in a statement, this is expanded on and clarified.

An excellent addition to any bookshelf, ‘Everything You Know About Sharks is Wrong!’ is a thoroughly enjoyable and informative read.

Everything You Know About Sharks is Wrong!

Dr Nick Crumpton, illustrated by Gavin Scott

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839944512

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!