Author: Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Zachariah Ohora (interview – HERE )
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2013
Age: 4 – 8 yrs
Themes: pets, animals, stories in rhyme
Opening: Warning! If you’re the type who oohs and aahs at furry faces, precious paws, the words ahead may be alarming: Animals aren’t always charming.
Summary: (from Amazon) Embark on a methodical, meticulous, and hilarious quest for the perfect pet in this wickedly witty cautionary collection of pet poems.
I like this book because… the rhymes are fun, the bold high-contrast illustrations too, but what I really like that this picture book is that it promotes the scientific method, which, in the words of the OED is “a method or procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.” Yeah. That. And living close to a university (3 blocks) that has a fantabulous outreach program for science I can’t be happier to find a picture book that may enkindle a wee scientist!
Resources/Activities: Did you know babies are born scientists? ReadTHIS from the National Science Foundation; or this article on Science in Early Childhood Classrooms; check out Hannah Weight Holt’s AMAZING crafts for kids at Lightbulb Books blog, like this one on earth’s layers.
For more Perfect Picture Book picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.
julie rowan-zoch 
Ah, I love Lisa Wheeler’s work, and these illos are to die for. I am putting this one on my list, and crossing my fingers that the library has it.
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You’ll really like this, Kirsten!
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Lots of yummy poetic nuggets in this book, and Z O’H’s illustrations are tons of fun!
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Just realized the illustrator has the opposite initials of my daughter, and that’s just my brain off on a random romp again!
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Love Lisa Wheeler! This looks different for her, will check it out.
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Hope you like it!
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Lisa’s books are sure to please. That opening rhyme is charming. I think this will make a great mentor text: non-fic AND rhyming. Awesome!
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Cha-CHING!
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Been looking forward to checking this one out! And I love the article you linked to about how babies learn like scientists. But of course they do! 🙂
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All smart mommies know that!
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Fiction with kernels of truth? Where have I heard that scenario being debated? LOL Going to check this out ASAP!
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Hope reading it provides inspiration!
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Love the sound of this, Julie! Always a plus when a pb can be a launch pad for a young mind! It’s on my library list.
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Great!
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This is another Julie PPB. It mirrors everything you like, for sure! I do love the cover and the bold illustration you shared. Not to mention it sounds like it is packed with fun information for young minds. Really nice selection!
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This looks like tons of fun, Julie! I love the idea that it might “enkindle a wee scientist” 🙂 and I also really love that you used Hannah’s site for a resource! 🙂
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Hannah’s site is fantastical!
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cute and cuddly and vicious. In the same sentence. Intriguing. And “enkindle” . That’s a good word. I’m pondering that one. I’m thinking I need to look for this book for sure.
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Hope you get your teeth on it!
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A rhyming book about the scientific method. Sounds like it uses both sides of the brain. Perfect.
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Cha-CHING!
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Are those… Aliens? In the Ant Farm (I like the farm items 🙂 )? COOL! 😀 Gotta get this book!
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Ali..ants! Enjoy – whatever you see in it!
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Definitely sounds like a keeper, Julie! Great review and love the resources…especially Hannah’s site which I don’t visit often enough.:(
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🙂
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