Look, See, Find me by Sandra Severgnini

"Animals use camouflage to change their appearance, helping them to survive, find food and avoid being eaten. Camouflage can also help attract a mate, protect eggs or young, 

or communicate as a warning when danger is nearby."

Notice the magnifying glass on the cover of this new book. When you turn inside the front end papers contain lots more magnifying glasses - all empty - then on the back end papers you can spy a close up of all the hidden creatures. The end notes give further details about each of the 25 camouflage experts hidden on the pages of this book. I am sure your school library already has a good collection of titles about this fascinating topic and popular. This one will be a very welcome addition because it contains insects, fish, birds and reptiles and scrumptious rich illustrations. I think my own favourite is the Goldenrod crab spider which as the name suggests looks like part of a flower but when an unsuspecting insect lands on the yellow petals expecting to find some pollen instead they become a tasty snack!

This is a new title from CSIRO Publishing released this week. The rhyming text makes this book perfect to share with your youngest students or preschool group. As a bonus this book contains some rich vocabulary - textured; ornate; knobbly; blend in; and there is a useful glossary.  The publisher page has a link to some useful teachers notes.

Here is the publisher blurb: Explore the world of animal camouflage and find the camouflaged animals hiding on each page! Take a journey into the world of animal camouflage and uncover what may be right under your nose! Discover frogs that look like leaves, spiders disguised as flowers, crabs concealed as sponges and seahorses hidden in coral. See if you can spot the species hidden among stunning illustrations, and learn about these elusive animals in Look, See, Find Me.

Hidden in dead leaves on the ground,

can you see us hopping around?

Hidden on the page above and the one beside it there is a black spotted sticky frog and a Malayan horned frog. These are both found in South-East Asia.

Sandra Severgnini is an author and illustrator of numerous award-winning books. She has a background in botanical illustration, but her passion now is with picture books, especially those featuring environmental and nature subjects. Sandra’s fascination for the amazing world around her inspires her words and brings sensitivity and humour to her illustrations. She is also the author and illustrator of Dung Beetle on a Roll and these:

The Snow Lion by Jim Helmore illustrated by Richard Jones

"Where did you come from?' Caro asked. 

'Oh, here and there,' said the lion."

Caro and her mum have moved. The new house is white - very white. In fact, it is so white that when the lion stands beside the wall he disappears. On that first glorious day the new friends enjoy many games of hide and seek. Caro sees other kids playing outside - boys playing with a kite. She is too shy to wave to them but later the lion suggests a visit to the park (the slide there is great fun) and when she gets there, she meets the kite boy. His name is Bobby. With encouragement from the lion Caro gradually gains courage and is able to make a new friend. They even share a chocolate cake! But there is a twist. Mum decides to paint all the walls in their white house in bright colours. What will happen to the snow lion? Can Caro survive without her wonderful friend? Does he really need to go? Wait until you see the final page!

A well-crafted tale about healthy adaptation to new environs merges with superb artwork. Kirkus Star review

What makes this book extra special is the way in which the text and illustrations work together. The darkness of the opening pages as Caro and her mother arrive in the night and then the stark whiteness of the house in the first days help to convey the feelings of the characters so well. When the lion arrives he stands out on a page of warm orange. The Snow Lion himself although kindly and reassuring has a quiet dignity and authority about him too; a little like a wise and thoughtful parent. Book Bag

One of our large book chain stores has pulled all the 'old' books off their children's books shelves. You probably know I love to think about the extra details on book price stickers. The Snow Lion has 'languished' on their shelves since July 2018. I do wonder why. It is a paperback book, and the full price was only AUS$15. I was lucky of course to pick this up for 50% off. This is a very special book to share with a young child. The story has a gentle 'message' about making new friends and courage and the illustrations are truly special. 

The best books always use every opportunity to add to their story. Take a look at the title page from The Snow Lion - so much of the story can be anticipated here.

Here is an interview with Jim Helmore about his book and you can also see other pages. Here is his web page. I am also a fan of his Stripy Horse series. His first book was Letterbox Lil - a collaboration with his wife Karen Wall. And here is the web page for Richard Jones. I am very keen to see his new book - Quiet. The Iron Robin looks good too. 

I have already talked about and read many other books illustrated by Richard Jones:

Little Bear

Whale in a Fishbowl

The Seed of Doubt

Bird Builds a Nest

Howard the average Gecko by Wendy Meddour illustrated by Carmen Saldaña

Howard is skilled with camouflage. He thinks he is SO special and unique. Of course this is not true. His boasting really annoys all the other rainforest creatures who are also terrific at camouflage. 

"But if I'm not the most camouflaged creature in the rainforest, then what am I? ... I can't just be average! ... Because who will love me if I'm just an average gecko?"

I'm sure you have guessed there is someone who will love Howard. Yes, it is a girl gecko - I love her purple skin. But wait - the ending is going to send your young reading companion into fits of giggles. There is a brief fact page at the back of the book with a simple explanation of camouflage. See inside this book here. Howard the average Gecko was published in 2021 and as far as I can see it is still available in paperback. If you read this book to your preschool group there is sure to be a lot to talk about in terms of talents, identity, love and of course the skill and purposes camouflage. 

Illustrations—rendered in watercolor, pencil, and digital—are cute and geometric yet rich, capturing the beautiful light and colors of the rainforest. Almost every page has hidden animals for young readers to find. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Children will especially enjoy pointing out camouflaged animals in this sweet and funny book. Kirkus

I picked up this book from the library I visit each week because I really do not like lizards and I am especially fearful of geckos due to a childhood incident where I watch one drop its tail as a defense mechanism and that piece of tail just kept flipping over and over - it was horrible. 

I have talked about other books by Wendy Meddour. 

Tisha and the Blossom

Lubna and Pebble

Here are some illustrated by Carmen Saldaña - she lives in Spain:

The Robin and the Reindeer

Can't Catch me by Constanze von Kitzing

"I'm going to catch you' said Little Lion. 'No, you won't."

How do the animals such as the grasshopper, frog, rabbit and chameleon escape the Little Lion? They use camouflage of course which makes for truly scrumptious illustrations. Predator - Little Lion. Prey - other animals. Defence - successful. But what will happen when a rhinoceros arrives on the scene? 

Award-winning illustrator Constanze von Kitzing delivers yet again with another charming Little Lion picturebook for young children. The muted tones of her illustrations create a gentle backdrop for the mischievous tale. The text is printed in a thick font, and with just one simple sentence per double-page, the author uses her images to further the story. As they search for the hidden creatures, children can learn about the concept of camouflage while also enjoying a light-hearted read. Children’s Books Ireland

The call-and-response dialogue makes this a fun read-aloud with older toddlers and younger preschoolers who will quickly pick up on the rhythm and flow of the simple text. School Library Journal

Constanze von Kitzing was born in Poland. She now lives in Germany. Can't Catch Me was originally published in Switzerland under the title Cache-cache. Take a look here to see a few illustrations from Can't Catch Me. For more information about Constanze here is an interview with SCWBI in Germany. 

Just recently I have been reading A family of Readers and I found these two quotes. The art in Can't Catch Me is truly "breathtaking" and the ending is "not too tidy".

"A true picture book is so much more than a sequence of words and images - the most breathtaking art, the most memorable prose, is static and lifeless without compelling page turns." Sutton, Roger and Parravano Martha V., A family of Readers, Candlewick Press, 2011. p.29

"Speaking of endings - the endings of picture books are important. They can easily be too tidy, too finished, boxing reader in rather than releasing their imaginations or making them eager for more." Sutton, Roger and Parravano Martha V., A family of Readers, Candlewick Press, 2011. p.40

The paperback edition of Can't Catch Me was published in 2019 and so this book is currently available. There are two more books which are also available in this series by Constanze von Kitzing:

Ziggy and the moonlight show by Kristyna Litten

Forms in music have names such as binary (AB); ternary (ABA); or rondo (ABACA).  If you apply this idea to a book like Ziggy and the moonlight show I suggest it follows the binary form. 

Part A
Ziggy hears the cry of a forlorn mother bird. The chick is lost. Ziggy looks at the mother bird and decides the chick must have black and white stripes so with that as the main clue the pair set off. They have to rush because, yes the chick is lost, but tonight is Saturday night - the night everyone loves to attend The Moonlight Show.

The hunt for the chick begins. Stripy feathers in the reeds - no it's the frogs; up in the tree - no it's a tiger; stripes in the grass - no, quick run run it's a huge snake.  Ziggy and the mother bird head on into the forest.

"Until out of the stillness came a tiny 'Poe! Poe! Poe! And down through the branches hopped the little chick."

Part B
If they hurry the three of them might make it back in time for the special show but how can they find the way? That's where the animals from the original journey can help. They spy the snake, then the tiger and finally the frogs. And YES they do arrive in time for the show. Moths swirling around the stars - pure magic.

Ziggy and the moonlight show is a very satisfying story with a happy ending and beautiful themes of kindness, courage and perseverance.  With a group of older children you could talk about why the snake and tiger do not seem quite so scary at night. You can see more illustrations here. Check out another book by Kristyna Litten - Norton and Alpha.

With Nan by Tania Cox illustrated by Karen Blair

With Nan is a book which should be read slowly to a very young child.  Reading slowly will match the lovely tone of this book as we see a loving relationship between Simon and his Gran and watch the time they spend together in the garden discovering all sorts of hidden creatures.  The text contains a simple structure :

"Simon didn't quite understand until Nan showed him a leaf (turn the page) that flew,(turn the page) a rock (turn the page) that hopped (turn the page) and ground (turn the page) that scurried away."

This is a book written for pre-school children and so it fits perfectly into the CBCA Early Childhood section.  At first glance the illustrations seem quite child-like but they are full of warmth and expression.  I especially like the first page which shows two sets of gum boots - one yellow set which are small and one purple - the little dog is chewing on one purple boot with a look of bliss on his face.  In the illustrations we also see Nan is quite adventurous.  She looks a little old with her hair in a bun but we see her up in a tree, down on all fours looking in the leaf litter, dancing with sticks and giving little Simon a piggyback home.  Nan lives in the country and I think many young city children will relate to the wonders that come from exploring a large property like this.

I was pleased to discover we have seven other books in our library by Tania Cox and that one was also short listed many years ago - Snap! Went Chester.

When we read With Nan in our school library we will explore all the other books by Tania Cox and also take a look at picture books about camouflage such as Who's hiding here by Yoshi, The Hunt by Narelle Oliver, Lots of spots by Lois Ehlert and Elmer by David McKee.

You can read an interview with Tania Cox here and find a set of notes about the animals in With Nan along with some activities and colouring pages.