At the Edge: Curious Creatures of Planet Earth by David Elliott illustrated by Clover Robin

I have heard of (but never seen) many of the curious creatures in this book but I am sure most will be unfamiliar to your library group or young reading companion: pangolin, platypus, peacock spider, axolotl, culper eel, maned wolf, pink fairy armadillo, aye-aye, makhor, cassowary, orchid mantis, black rain frog, and naked mole rat.

The text in this book is a series of very brief poems - one has only two lines! Every page turn is a surprise - revealing a close-up collage illustration of each creature.

Now where will you put this book in your library - animals [591] or poetry [811]?

Peacock Spider

When he romances

this spider dances.

In jaw-dropping hues

this jitterbug woos.

He wants her

spider heart

to thump

when she hears

his rumble-rump.

He hopes he will win her.

If not, he's her dinner.

I talked at length about David Elliott in this recent post.

Do you remember when the CBCA slogan was "Curious Creatures Wild Minds"? I penned seven posts with book ideas. This book would have been a perfect one to share. But put that one side. This is book published in 2026 will be a terrific addition to your school library.

If you have not yet discovered Clover Robin can I strongly urge you to seek out her books. Her collage illustrations are a visual delight.

Freaky, Funky Fish: Odd facts about fascinating fish by Debra Kempf Shumaker illustrated by Claire Powell

Fish have fins and gills and tails. All fish swim and most have scales 

but some fish zap and some fish sting.

If you are curious about the creatures in our world - especially the strange ones - then you are sure to enjoy this book. I remember years ago we added a book to our library at school called Killer Plants and how to grow them. I found this book fascinating and I regularly put it out on display.

Freaky, Funky Fish falls into this same category.  The illustrations are somehow a blend of scientific and yet fun.There is a freak rating system for each species with a score out of five. You might be interested to know the anglerfish, flashlight fish, barreleye fish, parrot fish and hammerhead shark are among the species to rate 5/5. There is a full fish inventory on the front and back end papers which again manage to combine the factual with a touch of fun. Hagfish are described as 'unbelievably freaky' and the coral reef frogfish is freaky with a capital F. 

If your young reading companion or class are curious to discover more the final pages of this book give extensive detail about each of the categories used in this book. There are fish that sting; fish that play dead; fish that slime; fish that coats itself with snot; fish that inflate and fish that fly.

This is a book you will want to add to your library. It would make a perfect addition to any non fiction collection.  It is so wonderful to see authors, illustrators and publishers producing these new and innovative non fiction titles.

Are you curious about the flashlight fish? It has "an organ under each eye. It uses light to find prey when it swims up to shallower waters at night looking for food. The light comes from bacteria living in sacs under the eyes of the fish, which it turns off by rolling the light organ under a flap of skin. At times, flashlight fish blink these lights every few seconds, looking like fireflies in the ocean."

A favourite fish of mine (he is a little ugly) is the Anglerfish. Take a look at him on the National Geographic site and on the cover of this book.

Image source: Claire Powell

This is the first book by USA Author Debra Kempf Shumaker. Claire Powell lives in London. 

Fascinating and informative Freaky, Funky Fish is a terrific resource for schools or a gift for children who love exploring different worlds. An excellent glossary at the rear provides more detailed information about the stars of the pages which rounds out a well-considered book which will provide hours of fun and information for a wide range of readers and inquisitive minds. Bluewolf reviews

Book Week Challenges 2020

Book Week 17th October - 23rd October, 2020

This is controversial but I am not a fan of Book Week dress up days or parades.  I think Book Week should be a celebration of books, reading, libraries and creative thinking, so in my school, as an alternate activity, I set four Book Week challenges each year. You can read about some past challenges here. My rules are simple but of course you can set your own:

• the challenge must be completed during the school day 
• the deadline for entries is 3.25pm each day
• label your work with your name and class
• up to ten winners will be announced each morning and they will each received a small prize bag. There are also certificates for highly commended and commended entries
• You can visit a showcase of entries in the library during Book Week and beyond

Here are my challenges for 2020. As I have now left my previous school I designed these challenges for a friend who teaches Grade Five (Stage 3). Please feel free to use, adapt, adopt etc.  Here are eight challenges based around the 2020 CBCA slogan/theme Curious Creatures, Wild Minds. When I do this I only do four challenges over four days. It takes a long time (at night) to sift through the hundreds of entries. I think it is important to maintain the excitment by announcing winners each day. The image below is the badge available from the CBCA - just one of the merchandise items designed to celebrate the slogan this year. This honour always goes to the winner of the Picture book of the Year (2 years ago) and this time it is designed by Gwyn Perkins who won with his book A Walk in the Bush.

 

1. Two curious creatures meet – an argument ensues – who is the most curious? Decide which two creatures (animals real or imaginary) have met, and now decide how to present the argument– for example as a cartoon with speech bubbles or as a formal interview with a mediator or another idea. Extension idea: adjudicate the argument and declare a winner.

**************

 2. NASA will send the details of some animals from earth inside a rocket. They plan to send this rocket well beyond our solar system. The details of the animals from earth will be supplied as digital files, photos and drawings by children. The problem: Because there is limited space in the rocket it has been decided the details of only 100 animals can be included. We know there are 8.7 Million species of animals on earth. You have been asked to select ONE animal to include and then complete brief information for the digital file and, as a child, you also need to include your drawing of this creature. Extension idea: You may be asked to make a short one minute speech to justify your choice.

**************

3. We know animals see the world in quite different way from humans for example dogs can only see the colours Blue and Yellow. Select one animal, research how they see the world. Now draw or describe your bedroom from the point of view of your animal – it could be your pet or a wild animal or even an insect.  Extension idea add in other senses – what does your room smell like, sound like and/or taste like? 

**************

4. Our Australian coat of arms was designed in 1908. Other Australian animals are now demanding a change. Why should the emu and kangaroo take centre stage? Your task is to design a new Australian coat of arms with at least two different animals and attach one paragraph to justify your choices. Extension idea: design a new Australian $200 note which must include an animal image. 

**************

5. Just when we thought all the possible animals in our world had been discovered, an intrepid explorer has found a new, very tiny creature which cannot be seen with a human eye. Design a portable device that this explorer has taken on his trip so this creature can be described. Extension idea: This creature needs a scientific name and this must link to a famous explorer from history. 

**************

6. Let your mind go wild. It’s time to employ your imagination. You are going to host a party for every pet that lives in your street! You will need to design the invitations, food, decorations and games. Extension idea – prizes and treat bag contents. 

**************

7. There is a saying "curiosity killed the cat".  Write a very short story that reveals why this is NOT true. 

**************

8. You have the chance to interview a curious creature. This could be a real animal or an imagined one, it could even be a mythical beast. Think about what you would like to know and write five open-ended questions.  Extension idea - write the answers and consider making this funny.

**************

Here are some photos of children's work from past years:

If you like this idea or you use some challenges I'd love to hear about your experience.  You might like to write a comment?

Firefly - a curious creature

 The 2020 CBCA slogan is 

Curious Creatures, Wild Minds

The Firefly

Time to turn my attention to the insect world. I love the idea of fireflies even though we do not have them here in Australia. I think my curiosity stems from the glorious Eric Carle book The Very Lonely Firefly and a book from my childhood - Sam and the Firefly by PD Eastman.

Image Source: Earthsky

Here are some facts about the curious firefly:

• Fireflies are also called lightning bugs
• There are around 2000 different species of fireflies but not all of them have lights
• Fireflies are beetles not flies!
• Their light can be yellow or green or orange depending on the species
• Fireflies live in tropical environments
• The glow is a chemical reaction - it is called bio-luminescence
• Each firefly species has its own flashing pattern
• Size 5 to 25mm

Further reading:

National Geographic

CBC Canada Kids

Image source: Firefly.org

Picture books that feature fireflies:

Publisher blurb Penguin: A light-up surprise for the youngest child from Eric Carle, creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. As the sun sets a little firefly is born. The very lonely firefly sets off into the darkening sky, flashing its light as it searches for other fireflies. It sees many lights - including a light bulb, headlights, the reflecting eyes of a dog, cat and owl and finally some fireworks glittering and shimmering - until at last it finds the firefly friends it was looking for. Now the firefly isn't lonely any more. The joyful conclusion of this delightful story is brought vividly to life with tiny flashing lights on the final page to delight young children.

Publisher blurb Penguin Random House: Sam the Owl and Gus the Firefly literally light up the sky in this classic Beginner Book edited by Dr. Seuss. In Sam and the Firefly, P. D. Eastman (author of Are You My Mother? and Go, Dog. Go!) introduces us to the dynamic duo of Sam and Gus, who soar through the air writing words in the night sky. But when Gus’s words end up causing confusion and chaos for the people on the ground, it’s up to Sam to help Gus “write” his wrongs.

Publisher blurb Nosy Crow: There’s no place like home, but poor Florence Firefly is lost, and there are so many bright lights shining in the night sky she doesn’t know which way to go. She’ll need some help to find her way back home. In this brilliant interactive picture book, children can help Florence on her journey by encouraging her to fly faster, suggesting which direction to take and making a wish.

Publisher blurb Penguin Random House: A little frog is singing to himself in the swamp one night. His song doesn’t seem complete, so he invites other animals to join in. Nothing sounds right until they are joined by the littlest voice in the swamp — that of a tiny firefly. This wonderfully illustrated picture book carries the important message that small voices need to be heard, too.

"Award-winning filmmaker and author of the Boy Who Loved the Moon, Rino Alaimo returns with an endearing tale about courage and love. When a young boy's father doesn't return from the war, the lonely boy wishes upon a shooting star--one that turns out to be a little firefly who, try as she might, just can't fly. Touched by the boy's earnest wish, the firefly undertakes a courageous journey to bring the boy's father home. Hope, love, and the courage of an unlikely hero fill the pages of this stunningly illustrated picture book" Book Depository 

Publisher blurb Macmillan:  Nina is afraid of the dark. Luckily she has a nightlight, but one night the power goes out. So Nina traps a firefly to keep her company. She has a jolly time with her new friend, until she soon realizes that the firefly doesn't feel the same way, and she must let it go. This irresistible bedtime story has stunning black-and-white illustrations accented with glowing spots of color—as magical as fireflies themselves!

Here is a very special poetry book:

Here is a non fiction text:

Narwhal - a curious creature

 The CBCA 2020 slogan is 

Curious Creatures, Wild Minds

The Narwhal

The narwhal certainly is a curious creature. It is sometimes called the unicorn of the sea. When I first read about the narwhal I thought this must be a 'made-up' creature. A few years ago I saw a narwhal tusk in a museum and I think at that moment I finally believed they were real. In this series of posts I have talked about the tapir and the gnu. Today I move into the marine environment to explore the narwhal.

Image source: WWF

Here are some facts about the curious narwhal:

• The name narwhal comes from the Old Norse words nar (corpse) and whal (whale). Narwhals were likely called “corpse whales" because of their pale, mottled coloring that made them look like drowned sailors!
• Narwhals are mammals and the calf feeds on milk from their mother
• The tusk is an enlarged spiral tooth
• Males can occasionally have two tusks and tusks grow up to 2.7 metres long
• Males and females have tusks
• They live in the Arctic waters off Canada, Greenland, Norway and Russia
• Narwhals eat fish (halibut), squid and shrimp
• The collective noun for a group of Narwhals is a blessing

Further reading:

WWF

Animal Fact Guide

National Geographic Kids

11 Facts about the Narwhal - video

Kpedia

There are lots of picture books and junior novels with narwhal characters. Here are a few you might find in a school or public library:

Publisher blurb Penguin Random House: Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do both love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together. A wonderfully silly early graphic novel series with each volume featuring three stories. The series celebrates the value of positivity and creativity.

Publisher blurb Simon and Schuster: Growing up in the ocean, Kelp has always assumed that he was a narwhal like the rest of his family. Sure, he’s always been a little bit different—his tusk isn’t as long, he’s not as good of a swimmer, and he really doesn’t enjoy the cuisine. Then one night, an extra strong current sweeps Kelp to the surface, where he spots a mysterious creature that looks just like him! Kelp discovers that he and the creature are actually unicorns. The revelation leaves him torn: is he a land narwhal or a sea unicorn? But perhaps, if Kelp is clever, he may find a way to have the best of both worlds.

Publisher blurb Cottage Door Press: "What is that?" is one of our favourite questions from curious little minds! In this fun little lift-a-flap book, we explore fun facts about narwhals, an arctic whale with very distinctive features. Is that a horn, like a unicorn? No, it's actually a tooth! Learn all about these amazing mammals with fun illustrations and sturdy pages perfect for little hands. Join narwhals (and their animal friends) and learn about these arctic creatures. Perfectly sized for little hands and fingers to open and close the flaps. 6 chunky and sturdy flaps are extra strong so your little one can open and close again and again.

Kirkus Review: A tiny narwhal dreams of seeing the world beyond her fishbowl. The little white narwhal’s entire universe seems to be an endless circle: the red front door, potted plant, umbrella stand, piano, and back to the red front door. She wants to travel, but she is worried about obstacles. She can’t walk, is afraid of getting lost, and doesn’t want to get cold. The little white boy who lives outside the bowl sympathizes. His diverse group of friends and their accompanying animals—a penguin, a giraffe, and a bat—are eager to help. They come up with a plan to wheel her through the neighborhood in a little red wagon, and off they go. She is thrilled with everything she sees, especially travel posters that hint of an even wider world. 

Kirkus review: Teamwork helps a narwhal to participate in an underwater orchestra. All the other creatures of the sea can make music, but Wendell can’t seem to create the right resonance with his tusk. He is a bit jealous that the octopus can make a “pop, pop, pop” sound, the jellyfish go “wubba, wub, wub,” the blowfish can “whoosh,” the whale sings “tweedly dee,” and the clam claps. When they all get going, the din is discordant and noisy, prompting Wendell to tap his tusk to get everyone to be quiet. The jellyfish then suggest that Wendell be the conductor to their little orchestra, and all together they make a harmonious melody. … Preschoolers will enjoy repeating all the sounds as this aquatic symphony takes shape while they discover the names of some relatively unfamiliar sea creatures.

Publisher blurb Penguin Random House: This girl’s room is an amazing mess between the pies, the paints, and the giant rainbow splashed across the wall. She swears that she didn’t make the mess–in fact, it was probably a narwhal. They make pies all the time, don’t they? But when a real narwhal magically appears, the girl finds herself in a battle of wits with a creature who’s every bit as feisty and funny as she is. Can she convince this creature that a narwhal made the mess? Can the narwhal convince her that she knows nothing about narwhals? In the hilarity that ensues, girl and narwhal discover they were destined to be best friends.

Here are a couple of Non Fiction titles to explore:

Tapir - a curious creature

 The 2020 CBCA slogan is:

Curious Creatures, Wild Minds

The Tapir

In a recent post I talked about the gnu. They live in Africa.  I have also talked about our Australian platypus. This time I have turned my attention to South America.  Some of the curious creatures from that continent are: sloth, macaw, guanaco, capybara and tapir. There is one other tapir - the Malaysian tapir which is found in South East Asia. The first book that I thought of for this curious creature is the book series Mango and Bambang.

Here are some facts about the Tapir:

• There are five types of tapirs: Baird’s tapir, Lowland or Brazilian tapir, Mountain or woolly tapir, the Kabomani tapir (discovered in 2013) and the Malayan tapir.
• Most tapirs live in South America, from southern Mexico to Venezuela, Brazil and Paraguay.
• The Malayan tapir is the exception; it lives in Asia — Burma, Thailand, Malaya and Sumatra.
• Tapirs look something like pigs with trunks, but they are actually related to horses and rhinoceroses
• Tapirs love the water. They’re terrific swimmers and divers. They enter water to cool off, dine on aquatic plants and avoid predators.
• The word tapir comes from the language of Brazil’s indigenous Tupi people, who called it “tapyra.”
• These days, English-speaking people seem to say it at least four different ways: 1. ta-PEER, 2. TAY-per (so that it sounds like “taper”), 3. TAY-peer and 4. TAY-pyer.
• Tapir have four toes on the front feet and three toes on the back feet.
• The tapir is a odd-toed ungulate
• Tapirs are herbivores eating grass and leaves.
• The collective noun for a group of tapirs is a candle.

Baby tapirs are “hiders” when they are young, and their stripes and spots are excellent camouflage in the dappled light of the forest.

Image Source: San Diego Zoo

Further reading:

San Diego Zoo

Zoo Borns

World Wildlife fund

National Geographic

Here some picture books which feature the tapir:

Publisher blurb: A picture paints a thousand words... Tapir and his friends all have nice new notebooks, just waiting to be filled. Giraffe decides to write a poem, Hippo writes a story and Flamingo composes a beautiful song. But poor Tapir can't think of anything to write - and the harder he tries the more upset he becomes! But everything starts to change when Tapir stops trying to write, and instead he begins to draw...  An uplifting and inspiring story about friendship and finding your feet, with the reassuring message that we are all unique and all good at something.

Publisher blurb: The jungle is a noisy place. The elephants BOOM, the rhinos BAM-BAM, the hornbills CAW-CAW and the apes HOO-HAA, but Tapir and Little Tapir don’t make a sound. They tiptoe through their days — until the morning a hungry leopard forces them to run for the lives. Leopard is just about to pounce when BANG! The sound of a hunter’s gun stops all three animals in their tracks. Now Leopard must flee — very quietly, with help from the tapirs. From that day on, Leopard moves with a very soft step as do the rest of the jungle beasts. With elegant pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations, this original pourquoi story is a satisfying and visually arresting tale of quiet rewarded.

Publisher blurb: Gordon and Tapir by Sebastian Meschenmoser, tells the comical story of odd-couple housemates (a particular penguin and an untidy tapir) and has been short-listed for the German Children’s Book of the Year Award.

Book Depository: Little Tapir is sleeping next to his mother when he is woken by Spider and led deep inside the jungle following the beat of Spider's song. Monkeys, firebirds, snakes and insects all add their own rhythms to the music but when the beat stops and Tapir is all alone, he realises how dangerous the jungle can be. But Mother Tapir is there to save the day.

Publisher blurb: From a master storyteller comes this heartfelt tale of friendship . . . and seeing past our differences. Tapir lives in the jungle. Pig lives in the village. But when they meet at the waterhole, they discover they are the same in so many ways. They might even be brothers from a different mother!

My friend, who inspired these posts, has a wonderful collection of toys to match the books in her Preschool to Year 2 junior library. I went hunting and I found a plush toy tapir - so cute!

Image source: Cuddlekins

Gnu - a curious creature

The 2020 CBCA slogan is:

Curious Creatures, Wild Minds

The GNU

I was visiting one of my favourite school libraries last week and spied their display of books about the curious gnu.  What is a gnu I hear you ask...

Image source: Animals Network

• A gnu is also known as a "wildebeest". The names are used interchangeably.
• Gnu is pronounced NEW or NOO
• "Wildebeest" is an Afrikaans word meaning wild beast
• A gnu is a type of antelope
• They are related to cattle, sheep and goats.
• The gnu is an even toed ungulate
• There are two species - the black gnu and the blue gnu
• The blue male gnu stands around 150cm tall and the black male gnu is around 120cm tall.
• Gnu live in Southern Africa - South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Tanzania
• Gnu live in herds with zebra as a protection from predators
• Gnu are herbivores and they eat grass
• The collective noun is a confusion of gnu
• Here is a video of a group of Blue Wildebeest (Blue Gnu).

Further Reading

Animal Corner

National Geographic

Video for kids

Even though the gnu is not an especially cute animal I found five picture books.

Publisher Blurb: Meet Yak and Gnu, two best friends who love to row and sing. Who will they meet on their journey down the river? This funny rhyming tale is full of adventurous animals and boats galore. Walker Books  Published in 2015

Publisher Blurb: Drawing.  Reading. Building. Painting. These are things Nelly loves to do…but they’re always better with Daddy Gnu!  With fun-to-read rhyme, a little silliness, and a lot of warmth, Anna Dewdney—the creator of the beloved Llama Llama books—tells the story of a daughter and her daddy and their wonderful day together. Penguin Random House  Published in 2017

Blurb: When Gnu says that there's a cave filled with diamonds across the river, Shrew is intrigued. But Gnu seems to be all talk, fantasizing about riches yet dismissing all of Shrew's suggestions. As Gnu dreams his days away, tossing out one big idea after another, Shrew spends his nights trying to make those dreams a reality. Can Gnu's big ideas and Shrew's hard work make something remarkable happen?  In this entertaining spin on "The Ant and the Grasshopper" that values the roles of both dreamers and doers, author Danny Schnitzlein's deadpan storytelling is perfectly complemented by illustrator Anca Sandu's humorous artwork. Book Depository available October 2020 

Blurb: When Gnu receives an invitation for tea with the Queen, he realises he better start brushing up on his etiquette. He hops on the train to London and picks up some rather interesting new mannerisms on his way to the palace. By the time he meets the Queen he has plenty of hilarious manners in his repertoire! Booktopia Published in 2017

Blurb: Boo loved being the only blue gnu. Whenever he met another gnu he’d say – “I’m Boo, I’m blue, not grey like you. I’m blue like the sky and blue like the sea. Wouldn’t you like to be blue like me?” So when another blue gnu comes along and wants to be friends, Boo doesn’t like it one bit. But can a blue gnu change more than his colour? A tongue-twisting read-aloud story. Kyle Mewburn

You might also like to look at the Julia Donaldson book The Ugly Five.

The Other Ark by Lynley Dodd

Here is another book you could use in your exploration of the CBCA 2020 slogan 

Curious Creatures, Wild Minds

Lynley Dodd certainly has a wild mind. These curious creatures are wonderful:

• Candy-striped camels with comical humps
• Armory dilloes
• Mad Kangaroosters in bow ties and spats
• Butternut bears with polka-dot puffles 
• Blunderbuss dragons
• Mongolian sneeth
• Alligatigers with too many teeth

• Elephant snails
• Pom-pom palavers with curlicue tails
• Marmalade mammoths
• Sabre-tooth mice

What is going on here?  Buckets of rain are falling.  There is no time to to lose. Noah fills his ark with the usual animals including the New Zealand kiwi bird. The ark is jam packed.  As he looks over the forest he sees more and more animals waiting to come on board so Noah asks Sam Jam Balu for help:

"Sam,' he said kindly,

'you've nothing to do

and I really need help 

with this two-by-two zoo.

My problems are solved

if you're quick off the mark-

you can take all the rest

in my second-best ark."

Sam Jam Balu works hard to load these assorted animals onto Ark Two but instead of floating away into the flood waters this ark is firmly stuck to the ground.

It would be fun to use the illustrations from this book for a display of curious creatures and then you could ask the children to create some of their own composite critters.

Go back and look at the title - why would there be "another ark"?  Do the children know the story of the original ark? Take a really close look at the cover - do see see animals you recognise? 

The Other Ark was published in 2004 but the paperback edition is still in print. Lynley Dodd is an author and illustrator from New Zealand. She is most famous for her Hairy Maclary books. She has written over thirty books. Here are some notes about her work written for an illustration exhibition held in 2017.