Never Smile at a Monkey

by Steve Jenkins

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009. Unpaged. Nonfiction.

You wouldn't know it from the title, but this is a scary book. Everyone knows not to play with a black widow or anger a rattlesnake, but why not smile at a monkey? Or collect a cone shell? You will find out in this book, which is about animals that might seem harmless, but actually can be quite dangerous, and even lethal. The large illustrations are vibrant, and there is just enough information on each page to cause alarm. For example, on one page is the advice, "NEVER caress an electric caterpillar." The explanation is: "This colorful caterpillar will turn into a harmless brown moth. But until that happens, look out! If your skin touches its hairy bristles, you'll feel an intense burning sensation. Without immediate medical attention, weakness, severe illness, and death can follow." Well, that is all fine and dandy and thanks for the advice, but how do we avoid this caterpillar?! Where does it live?! How careful should I be?! Luckily, at the end of the book there are additional pages that go into greater detail about each animal which includes their habitat. I was very relieved to find out that the electric caterpillar lives in Southern Brazil. This is definitely a fun, easy to read, yet quite informative book.

Comments

Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) by Pamela Espeland & Elizabeth Verdick

If there's one book today's kids need to read, it is Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) . The authors provide a fun format for teaching etiquette to children. They discuss proper behavior at home, at school, at other people's homes and in public places. The information is completely up-to-date with cellphone manners and netiquette included. Fun, cartoony illustrations are on practically every page giving the book great visual appeal. This book is perfect for boys and girls in the fourth grade or older. WARNING: Bodily functions are discussed.

Funny Farm by Mark Teague 2009

There are things I liked about Mark Teague's newest book, Funny Farm , and things I didn't like. Where should I start? I'll do the "didn'ts" first. The illustrations show animals personified. Well, some of the animals are. The main characters, Edward, and his farm family relatives, all dogs, are humanized. They stand upright, do farm chores, eat at a table, wear clothes, knit (yes, with paws) and sleep in beds. Most everybody else on and around the farm, who are also animals, act like animals. They are outside, roll in mud, live in the barn, and require care from their owners. It struck me the most on the page spread where there are pigs playing in puddle in the rain and Edward, a black and white boxer, watches from inside the house. I thought "You're a dog! Go play with them!" But, alas, he can't, seeing as how he goes through his entire visit to the farm wearing a suit and red bow tie. Another picture that bothered me was the maple syrup pa...

Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin

Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin Illustrated by Leslie Evans Charlesburg; 2009; unpaged Faces of the Moon is a short nonfiction book that describes the different phases of the moon and why the moon appears like it does on certain nights. This book is short and sweet so even the youngest of moon lovers will enjoy it. The layout is simplistic and easy to follow. I don’t know much about the moon so I found it very interesting.

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog