Monday, November 10, 2014

Animal Teachers by Janet Halfmann

Animal Teachers by Janet Halfmann is a delightful hardcover book!  I have read it many times with my 2 year old, five year old and six year old over the past few weeks and it continues to be a oft requested book.  We have loved learning a little more about how different animals learn the skills they need to survive, such as breaking open nuts or how to build a home.


Each page tells a little about an animal and something that it is taught to do by its parents.  The picture are watercolor paintings done by Katy Hudson and they are beautiful!


 
One thing I really like about the book are the extra questions on each page that lead to discussion and application.  For example, on the page about how baby sea otters learn to swim the application questions are, "Who gave you your first swimming lessons? Can you swim now?"  The questions on each page are simple for children to answer and help them create connections with what they are reading and learning.
 
 
Janet Halfmann does a great job of making science and nonfiction topics interesting and approachable even for young children.  I would highly recommend Animal Teachers for children ages 2-7!
 
I received a free copy of this book to facilitate my review.  All opinions are my own.  I really loved the book!