Thump Goes the Rabbit

December 13, 2019

K-Gr 2-In this volume of the science series, children are introduced to a variety of animal communication techniques. Each spread depicts a species of animal demonstrating a single action, paired with a short, scientific explanation of what that action communicates. While the book's tone is straightforward, its full-bleed illustrations are winsome and soft-edged, with many of the animals sporting gentle smiles. Back matter includes a brief glossary, a single-page guide to how words can translate to nonverbal communication, and an animal observation activity for young citizen scientists. Overall, it's a chirpy and informative reading experience that holds varying appeals for various age groups. Very young children can appreciate the simple, easy-to-read sentences and endearing artwork, while curious older readers may be drawn to the science terms and concepts, including the suggested activity (which culminates in young scientists writing a list of their observations). VERDICT This solid but unexceptional title is an additional purchase for schools and public libraries looking to grow their science picture book collections.-Rebecca Honeycutt, NoveList, Durham, NC

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2020
Preschool-G As Hodgkins points out in this simplified introduction to animal communication, there are many methods creatures use to express information, emotions, needs, and warnings to others. Each turn of the page features a different animal in a double-page illustration, accompanied by a few lines of relevant text. A rabbit thumps its back legs against the ground, warning others to Look out! Male fireflies flash their lights in the evening, saying Let's meet to females in the grass. A frightened dog tucks its tail between its legs, while a worried one holds its tail low and wags it a little. When threatened, rattlesnakes shake their tails, creating a distinctive warning sound. While the text could sometimes be more precise, it offers many good examples of animal communications. Morley contributes a series of richly colored, subtly textured pictures, created with digital as well as traditional media, including watercolors. The illustrations feature appealing portrayals of wild and domesticated animals within their environments. An attractive addition to the long-running Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)