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Friday
March 19, 2010 Since 1922 |
Big penguin makes science fun in book
By JoAn Martin
Baytown Sun Published April 11, 2004 Jenkins, Martin. “The Emperor’s Egg”. Illustrated by Jane Chapman. Cambridge, Mass. Candlewick Press. 1999. Hardback. 30 pages. $16.95. ISBN 0-7636-0557-3
This non-fiction picture book includes both fascinating factual information and a story. Illustrations done in acrylics by Jane Chapman lead the reader to follow the world’s most devoted dad, the Emperor Penguin.
The scientific facts, in which the author shares the amazing parental behavior, are offered in a beginning sidebar.
Living on Antarctica, a huge island at the bottom of the world, we meet the biggest penguin in the world. His mate laid the egg weeks ago and waddled off to the sea. How does the father penguin keep the egg from getting cold? For two whole months he stands with the egg on his feet and has no dinner. No breakfast. No lunch.
When Mama Penguin finally returns, her chick has hatched, no thanks to her, and she upchucks into its mouth. Yuk! Yum, thinks the chick.
Jane Chapman’s icy scenes done in blue will freeze the reader on a hot day. The beautiful artwork and realistic details take us directly to Antarctica.
“The Emperor’s Egg” was selected an Outstanding Science Trade Book for children by the National Science Teachers Association.
•••
Appelt, Kathi. “Bubba and Beau Go Night-Night.” Illustrator: Arthur Howard. New York. Harcourt. 2003. Hardback. $16. Ages 2 to 5. ISBN 0-15-204593-7.
“Go Night-Night” is the second outing for Bubba and Beau and includes all the Texas jargon, “Yeehaw!”.
As in her first Bubba and Beau book, Kathi Appelt’s agenda is to remind even toddlers of their southern heritage.
Mama Pearl (little boy’s mama) and Mama Evelyn (little dog’s mama) wave bye-bye apprehensively as Big Bubba loads their babies into his pickup, Earl. They go to town and run all kinds of errands: feed and seed store, post office, Sam’s fruit stand. The last stop is for ice cream.
After such a busy day, Big Bubba and Mama Pearl were pooped, but Bubba and Beau and not sleepy. Big Bubba eventually has to resort to the time-honored strategy for settling down hyper boys and puppies. They retrace their daytime route in the pickup, but Bubba and Beau hardly notice. “Those two were plumb tuckered out.”
Arthur Howard’s illustrations of a plump-face baby and a cunning puppy peering over Big Bubba’s shoulder will draw in adults as well as children. With dice hanging from the truck mirror, both boy and dog are safely tucked into car seats.
On their errand run into town, the Texans’ patriotism is flaunted with Texas flag and American flag on the pickup. Big Bubba even salutes the flag stamps.
A picture book with five chapters offers pre-schoolers a “read-aloud romp.”
JoAn Martin reviews children’s books for The Baytown Sun. She is a retired teacher. She may be reached at josbook(at)mindspring.com.
Baytown Sun Published April 11, 2004 Jenkins, Martin. “The Emperor’s Egg”. Illustrated by Jane Chapman. Cambridge, Mass. Candlewick Press. 1999. Hardback. 30 pages. $16.95. ISBN 0-7636-0557-3
This non-fiction picture book includes both fascinating factual information and a story. Illustrations done in acrylics by Jane Chapman lead the reader to follow the world’s most devoted dad, the Emperor Penguin.
The scientific facts, in which the author shares the amazing parental behavior, are offered in a beginning sidebar.
Living on Antarctica, a huge island at the bottom of the world, we meet the biggest penguin in the world. His mate laid the egg weeks ago and waddled off to the sea. How does the father penguin keep the egg from getting cold? For two whole months he stands with the egg on his feet and has no dinner. No breakfast. No lunch.
When Mama Penguin finally returns, her chick has hatched, no thanks to her, and she upchucks into its mouth. Yuk! Yum, thinks the chick.
Jane Chapman’s icy scenes done in blue will freeze the reader on a hot day. The beautiful artwork and realistic details take us directly to Antarctica.
“The Emperor’s Egg” was selected an Outstanding Science Trade Book for children by the National Science Teachers Association.
•••
Appelt, Kathi. “Bubba and Beau Go Night-Night.” Illustrator: Arthur Howard. New York. Harcourt. 2003. Hardback. $16. Ages 2 to 5. ISBN 0-15-204593-7.
“Go Night-Night” is the second outing for Bubba and Beau and includes all the Texas jargon, “Yeehaw!”.
As in her first Bubba and Beau book, Kathi Appelt’s agenda is to remind even toddlers of their southern heritage.
Mama Pearl (little boy’s mama) and Mama Evelyn (little dog’s mama) wave bye-bye apprehensively as Big Bubba loads their babies into his pickup, Earl. They go to town and run all kinds of errands: feed and seed store, post office, Sam’s fruit stand. The last stop is for ice cream.
After such a busy day, Big Bubba and Mama Pearl were pooped, but Bubba and Beau and not sleepy. Big Bubba eventually has to resort to the time-honored strategy for settling down hyper boys and puppies. They retrace their daytime route in the pickup, but Bubba and Beau hardly notice. “Those two were plumb tuckered out.”
Arthur Howard’s illustrations of a plump-face baby and a cunning puppy peering over Big Bubba’s shoulder will draw in adults as well as children. With dice hanging from the truck mirror, both boy and dog are safely tucked into car seats.
On their errand run into town, the Texans’ patriotism is flaunted with Texas flag and American flag on the pickup. Big Bubba even salutes the flag stamps.
A picture book with five chapters offers pre-schoolers a “read-aloud romp.”
JoAn Martin reviews children’s books for The Baytown Sun. She is a retired teacher. She may be reached at josbook(at)mindspring.com.