Review By JENNIFER GANNETT

Bear-ly There is a refreshing look at the now common conflict between wild animals and people (and property).  This book has a wonderful message of accountability and respect for all different kinds of human and non-human animals, as well as a thoughtful and empowered young protagonist.

The story opens with a bear coming out of hibernation.  We are treated to some really lovely details from the bear’s perspective as he wakes to the world and forages for food.  Meanwhile, nearby, young Charlie is caring for his pet geese as they too enjoy the spring.  The book depicts Charlie keeping his geese safe, especially in the evening, so that they will be safe from any nocturnal animals who may cause the geese problems (referred to in the story as visitors).

When the bear breaks into the shed and eats some birdseed, Charlie and his neighbors begin talking about the bear.  Many neighbors express concern about bear-related damage.  Charlie begins researching ways to prevent conflicts between humans and bears, creating an informational poster which he posts at the town bulletin board.  Those well versed in human-bear conflicts will nod knowingly at the subtitle of Charlie’s poster: The bear isn’t the problem–you are!

Knowing that education isn’t full substitution for preparation, Charlie and his parents come up with a plan for scaring the bear away if he reappears.  When he does, the family is equipped with loud noisemakers and the bear flees back into the woods.  The family has one more encounter with the bear late in the summer.  While out blueberry picking, they encounter the bear from a distance in a meadow.  As Charlie wisely points out to his parents, it much better seeing him out in the wild than in their backyard.

Author and illustrator Rebekah Raye has crafted a beautiful book with beautiful illustrations.  There is so much to like about this story for older preschoolers and elementary children: the responsibility evinced by Charlie and his family, the message regarding human responsibility for interactions with wild creatures and the conscientiousness with which Charlie approaches this task.  While so many disheartening tales of human-bear conflicts abound, this book is a sweet story of a happy ending for all.

Great for ages 5 and up.

Review By ROBYN MOORE

In Give Us a Chance, author Jane Mann introduces us to those creatures “we love to hate or may not yet appreciate.” It’s a short book of 26 rhyming poems intended to provide some understanding of the animals who often get a bad rap—such as pigeons, magpies, spiders, toads, ants, and rats. Let’s face it: You probably haven’t seen an ant on anyone’s list of favorite animals, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t worthy of respect, as the author stresses.

The author gives us fun facts throughout and reminds us that these overlooked and often villainized animals have a life and purpose of their own and are not here for humans to use and abuse. For example, just because snakes have patterns rich with hues doesn’t mean that we should take their skins to make boots and bags, and just because rats have a high IQ doesn’t mean we should use them for testing in laboratories.

The rhymes alone make this book a smart educational choice for kids. It also has an important message for kids—that all of us are unique and interesting in our own right, and just because you are not what society considers “beautiful” or “popular,” doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve to be treated kindly.

Teaching kids to respect animals, no matter their species, size, color, or shape, is an important lesson—and this book makes it easy for parents to help relay that message to their kids.

Books about cuddly puppies and silly monkeys abound, so it’s nice to see a kid’s book focused on the not so “cute” animals. After reading this, you’ll definitely have a new appreciation for these disregarded creatures—I know I did!

Ages 5–11.

Review By CAROLYN M. MULLIN

The storyline and imagery may seem to border on the chimerical, but what takes place in Amy’s Light is a summertime occasion that adults can recollect with the same childlike wonder, joy and fascination as the main character, Amy. Considering that fireflies live mere weeks (a fact I picked up in the book’s “Did you know?” section), it really is incredibly exciting to see these bioluminescent insects flicker their goods in the evening air.

Set to soothing rhyme, the narrative situates Amy as a young girl scared of the shadows on her bedroom wall. Light emanating from outside her window lures her to the yard, where she captures lightning bugs in a mason jar. Taking them to her room, the glowing insects help dispel her fear of the shadows. At this point, animal ethics come into play as captivity wanes the fireflies’ radiance and Amy…

…ran to the window
Jumping for joy,
took the lid off to see
Amy watched with delight
and the lights became brighter
as they flickered and flackered
now suddenly set free
and flew out of sight.

Overall, this is a whimsical, attractive picture book with a sound message that will inspire your kids to explore nature’s nocturnal gifts. Robert Nutt is not only the author, but also the artist and his picturesque, doctored photographs are simply gorgeous. See a flash video of Amy’s Light and discover other “Connecting Children with Nature” titles through Dawn Publications.

Ages 4-8.

Review By JACQUELINE BODNAR

What happens when you take an arrogant jungle lion and put him in a circus? He finds that he much preferred life in the jungle, and he returns with a new, more refined attitude toward his animal neighbors.

In Deep in the Jungle, author Dan Yaccarino takes a look at circuses through the eyes of a mighty lion. The lion is recruited, believing that he is going to become famous, only to find that he is put into a circus. In traditional circus fashion, he is placed in a cage and made to perform to the crack of a whip.

Unhappy with this arrangement, the lion decides to eat his way back to the jungle, starting by eating his trainer in order to break free. He eventually finds his way back to the jungle where he and the other animals belong. This time, however, he has a much softer outlook and treats the other animals with respect.

Vegetarian parents who are teaching their kids about animal rights and the downside of the circus will appreciate this story. It reminds us that the grass is not always greener on the other side, and that animals prefer their freedom.

Ages 4-8.

Review By MARSHA RAKESTRAW

Pictures of polar bears clinging to small bits of ice have been a primary rallying symbol for the fight to stop global climate change. In Winston of Churchill: One Bear’s Battle Against Global Warming, the bears take matters into their own paws, thanks to the courage and foresight of Winston, who leads the bears in a campaign to defend their ice-dependent homes. Since people are the primary cause of global warming, Winston mobilizes the bears to protest in front of the tourists (complete with signs and chants) to make them aware of how their destructive actions are melting the ice and destroying the bears’ land.

Winston of Churchill is a fun, playful way to introduce kids to the issue of global warming, the importance of personal responsibility (Winston’s wife points out that his cigar pollutes, too), and the power of taking positive, peaceful action. Although the quotes and references to the World War II leader will be lost on kids, parents may appreciate them. Great for sparking age-appropriate discussion about an important topic that affects everyone.

Ages 5-9.

Billy the baby bunny is on the hunt for a “magical flying creature” called a butterfly.  Together with his friends — a nuthatch, field mouse, and a black-nosed mole — he looks in the daffodils and the sweetbriar bush, and under a water lily.  Along the way, he discovers a bee, grasshoppers, and a number of birds before falling asleep.  Happily, at the end of the book, he is awoken by a flock of butterflies.

Kids will enjoy lifting the flaps to see the wild animals, and parents will appreciate the life-like illustrations.  An Adventure with Billy Bunny is a nice book to instill reverence for nature.

Ages 3-6.  This book is out-of-print but is available for used purchase.

Review By MARSHA RAKESTRAW

Based on the truisms that all life is interconnected and that we cannot artificially replicate nature, The Dancing Deer and the Foolish Hunter follows a hunter who discovers a deer dancing joyfully in the forest and kidnaps her to sell to the circus. When the deer refuses to dance without the singing birds, the hunter captures and cages two songbirds (after first trying to cajole the deer to dance to the squawking radio). When the birds can’t sing without the whistling of the trees, the hunter uproots some, and so on. At each obstacle, the hunter unsuccessfully tries to simulate the natural world (a glass of water with salt for the sea, frozen fish sticks for live fish, etc.), before snatching something else from its home. Eventually, the deer convinces the hunter to return all the plants, animals and elements that he abducted back to the land and sea with the promise that she’ll teach him to dance.

While the “web of life” message is a tad heavy, and the circus premise seems a bit contrived, the whimsical collage illustrations, the lively language choices, and the worthy message make for an engaging story that offers numerous opportunities for discussion (the interconnectedness of life, the exploitation of animals, the “replacement” of nature, peaceful versus more violent pastimes, etc.). Veg parents should note that the hunter wears a coonskin cap and carries a rifle.

Ages 5-9.

Review By

“I wish we could save all the endangered animals in the world!” So begins this creative book by Frances Barry. Bold, simple sentences with compelling action verbs (rhinos wallowing, penguins skidding, turtles scuttling) describe 10 endangered animals the author would save. Additional sentences in smaller, unobtrusive text highlight a bit about why each animal is endangered. (These sentences could be skipped, if desired, for younger audiences.) Textures, colors and patterns in the collage illustrations help breathe life into the story, and the flaps cleverly reveal two views of each animal in her habitat.

The ending of the book turns more somber, using stark black and white (and simple silhouettes of the animals) to emphasize: “Let’s save them all before they are…gone forever.” The book then offers a few simple actions young people can take to help animals, such as “Don’t litter” or “Let animals sleep, feed, and play on their own.” A great title for nurturing respect for animals and cultivating positive action in children.

Ages 3-8.

Robert McCloskey’s classic book describes a chance encounter between a child and her momma and a bear cub and his momma.

When both families head to Blueberry Hill to stock up on fruit for the winter, the little ones get separated from their mothers and begin to follow the wrong mothers instead.  The lesson in the book is in how each mother reacts when she finds someone unexpected following her.  She takes a good look and backs away, because — Mr. McCloskey tells us — “She was old enough to be shy of people/bears, even a very small [one].”  The families are reunited and everyone makes it home OK.

This sweet book emphasizes our connection to nature and encourages respect for wild animals.

Ages 2-5.  For more reviews, visit Common Sense Media or Goodreads.