The Incredible Pop-Up Frog and other wetland creatures

Beautifully presented and bursting with information, ‘The Incredible Pop-Up Frog and other wetland creatures’ is an absorbing read, with plenty of interactive elements to keep readers engaged.

A mixture of pop-ups, wheels, flaps to lift and tabs to pull allow readers to explore different wetland environments and the creatures which live there. Headings and side headings help readers to locate information which is presented in clearly written, well explained sections. This is one of those books which really has no upper age limit- there is plenty to fascinate everyone.

Teachers could take inspiration from the way food chains have been presented using a wheel which turns to show these links in five different locations, perhaps inspiring children to create their own in this way. Similarly, creating a fold out diagram like the one showing the life cycle of a frog is a far more appealing way of presenting this information than a simple drawing. There is plenty of information here which extends beyond the confines of the science curriculum, developing children’s knowledge and understanding in a very visual way.

As well as focusing in on different locations from around the world and allowing readers to compare and contrast these, the book offers information about the different depth zones- the surface, the middle and the bottom of watery locations. The final page encourages readers to try creating their own wetland environment, something which could be done at home or at school and offer the opportunity for children to work scientifically, carefully observing nature and enjoying the benefits such activities can bring.

The Incredible Pop-Up Frog and other wetland creatures

Ben Hoare, illustrated by Jasmine Floyd

Templar ISBN: 978-1800788718

Secrets of Bees

Beautifully presented, ‘Secrets of Bees’ is both informative and engaging. The role of bees and their importance is celebrated throughout the book, leaving readers with a deeper understanding of, and respect for, the brilliant creatures.

Fabulous illustrations accompany the text, visually supporting the information. A labelled diagram of a bee, for example, contributes to understanding its features, whilst other snippets of information are attractively presented alongside. These bite sized sections of text make the information easy to absorb and a comprehensive glossary at the end of the book supports understanding of the ‘technical’ vocabulary used throughout.

Every page celebrates the importance of these tiny creatures, championing the role they play and encouraging readers to value their contributions and do everything they can to help them in return from providing nest sites to planting more flowers. The book acknowledges that bees sting and it hurts when they do, explaining that this is their way of defending themselves and that they would much prefer to be left alone.

A fascinating read, ‘Secrets of Bees’ would make an excellent addition to any school or class library, enriching the curriculum and sparking interest in these precious creatures.

Secrets of Bees

Ben Hoare, illustrated by Nina Chakrabarti

Nosy Crow and Cambridge University ISBN: 978-1805133179

NNFN2024: An Anthology of Exquisite Birds

Once again, I must apologise for the lack of photos. Despite having contacted Squarespace and followed their ‘advice’, the site is still not working correctly.

For day 20 of National Non-Fiction November, I am sharing ‘An Anthology of Exquisite Birds’, a very beautiful book which I wish I could hare pictures of- however, enough of my frustration!

Ben Hoare’s passion for birds and desire to inspire and enthuse others is absolutely infectious and, although I am not a fan of the term ‘gift book’, this one would make a very special present for any bird lover.

The contents introduces the reader to the wealth of birds captured in its pages. Sections indicated in italics focus on more generic topics like ‘beaks’ or ‘eggs’ which offer comparisons and comments about specific breeds of bird. Everything is beautifully presented: inside, a mixture of photographs and illustrations on each spread, outside, gold page edges and an embossed cover.

Readers learn how many of these birds got their names as well as some of the myths and legends associated with them. There is such a wealth of knowledge here- you might start by looking up a specific bird, but the easy style of the text and the author’s great knowledge and enthusiasm will lead you to others. A real gem, this is an absolute keeper!

An Anthology of Exquisite Birds

Ben Hoare, illustrated by Angela Rizza and Daniel Long

DK ISBN: 978-0241674963