Pros: Does not get overly cute, provides facts for young learners, stunning illustrations
Cons: Very simple, might be too young for first grade
The Bottom Line: Simple introductions to animal behavior work wonderfully when compared to a child's behavior, such as sleep, especially when the targeted ages are three and four.
pestyside's Full Review: Suzanne Slade - Animals Are Sleeping
In the chaos of the days or in the still of the nights, animals sleep in many ways, often with little fright. Young children can’t help but think that animals sleep in much the same way they do—in a nice bed, lying down, on their backs or tummies, and in rooms. They might think animals sleep in a nest, cave, or barn, therefore Suzanne Slade’s simple book, Animals are Sleeping, serves as an excellent introduction to a new topic on animal behavior.
Where do fish sleep? What about groundhogs or marmots? Certainly polar bears curl up in caves. Where do lions take catnaps? Who sleeps standing on the ground, floating in water, and perched in trees, curled up on snow or on one leg? Who might sleep curled up next to a slumbering young child?
These answers and more flow out of this beautiful book told in a lyrical text. The “shhh…shhh…” repeats throughout and it will get the attention of listeners. The content is more factual than cute (although it is charming), and essentially free of anthropomorphizing. Illustrator Gary Phillips’ introduces natural settings with double-page illustrations. He takes us underground, to the arctic, to the Oregon coast, and into nests to help the author tell her story about animal sleeping habits.
It’s my thought that two, three and some four year olds will enjoy this, especially the conclusion, and will ask for repetitions. Daycare and early childhood providers will find this valuable for naptimes. I think this would be a special way to prepare for naps but the publishers also consider this helpful for introducing animal behavior.
There is More
Sylvan Dell Publishing always takes readers beyond the pages with their enrichment extensions and activities. This book concludes not with the last pages of the story, but with four pages of ”Creative Minds” activities. These include animal sorting cards and thinking activities. Did you know that one of the animals in the story actually hangs upside down and sleeps 15 to 18 hours during a day? Nothing wakes it, not even a thunderstorm. This content provides some information about each of the book’s napping animals.
Beyond the pages of this picture book
Teachers and parents will benefit from the teaching activities and learning links. Teaching activities cover language arts, science, math, and geography and these are developed for early childhood, kindergarten, and possibly first grade. I’m always impressed by the detail that the publishers go to for this resource. Topics include the sleeping animals in this book--all are appropriate for children and helpful for teachers. The publisher relies upon associations, zoos, and research centers. Want more information about lions? Go to lionking.org.
Over the past few years I’ve realized that Sylvan Dell books are reliable sources for quality education as well as valuable books. I share mine with children visiting the museum I oversee knowing they love them; however, the teachers using them are even more excited by the resources associated with the books. If I introduce these at a teacher training workshop, they always want to know more and become eager to use the online resources. With these books you always go beyond the story and they almost always get my highest recommendations.
Just how do animals sleep in the wild? Some animals sleep standing up, others even sleep while swimming or flying! The short, lyrical text provides fa...More at HotBookSale
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