A Bear’s Life by Nicholas Read

A Bear’s Life by Nicholas Read is the second book in the My Great Bear Rainforest series. Full of beautiful photographs, and fun facts about the bears and other wildlife of the rainforest, this book will teach young readers all about the daily life and behaviour of the bears. The lessons are from bear perspective, so you get an idea of how cubs learn from mom. In addition to black bears and grizzlies, readers also learn about the very special Spirit Bear, which is a genetic aberration among black bears, and are sacred animals.

My little ones (and the older ones) really enjoyed learning about the rainforest, and the bears. This is a perfect book for any young reader that enjoys nature and animals.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Orca Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

 

50 Wacky Things Humans Do by Walter Foster

Foster’s 50 Wacky Things Humans Do is a kid’s guide to unusual facts concerning human bodies. Each of the fifty facts is accompanied by cute illustrations, and a little sidebar box. I have to say, there were some facts that were new to me! Like that humans actually give off a faint glow. We just do not have the visual acuity to see it. Or that mama’s kisses can give babies antibodies.

I do wish the sidebar regarding optical illusions had included that those without depth perception- such as the case of only having one eye- are far less likely to be fooled by them. First-hand experience here! All of my cubs enjoyed this book, and it’s the perfect pick for any child who likes science.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

 

Bubby’s Puddle Pond by Carol Hageman

Bubby’s Puddle Pond by Carol Hageman is a short, sweet story about a darling baby desert tortoise. Not only is there information about tortoise life, and behaviour, but there are great lessons of cooperation, sharing, and accepting differences in others. Bubby is adopted by a ma and daughter, and has the run of the tortuga-friendly backyard. He meets new friends- a bunny, a cactus wren, a gecko, a quail, and a puppy. Bubby comes to share his burrow with both Cotton the Bunny and Dottie the Gecko. There is a lesson in courage, when Bubby must go investigate what the strange man is doing in the yard, and things don’t go as he expected!

This was certainly a cute read, but I did find the span of time that passes to be confusing. Some three years passed, measured by Bubby’s hibernation cycles. For younger readers that’s not too much of an issue, but it is jarring to older readers. My cubs really enjoyed this quick read. They really loved the artwork, which is quite cute. There’s even a section at the end with adult level information regarding the care of desert tortoises. I had no idea that the only place you can legally own them is Arizona!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Niña Story Books for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

 

Earth Science: Water by Mary Lindeen

Lindeen’s Earth Science: Water is a early reader book all about that most vital of life’s resources. Readers will learn about where water can be found, the forms precipitation can take, and the states it exists in. At the back is a ‘Connecting Concepts’ section for parents or teachers to work with the child on the material read.

This is a fairly quick read, and a good teaching tool for learning all about water and its forms. The nature pictures are beautiful!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Norwood House Press for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.