Wild About Us! - Hardcover

Beaumont, Karen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0152062947 ISBN 13: 9780152062941

Publisher: Clarion Books, 2015

Synopsis

Warty Warthog may have warts and tusks, but he likes himself that way! Join him as he celebrates all of his animal friends and the attributes that make each one unique. Whether it’s Crocodile's toothy grin or Kangaroo’s huge feet or Leopard’s spottiness, each animal is different. Wouldn’t it be dull if all the animals at the zoo—and all the people in the world—looked alike? A joyful picture-book celebration of everything that makes us individuals! 

About this title

About the Author

Karen Beaumont is known for her lively and celebratory picture books, including I Like Myself! and the New York Times best-seller I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More!, both illustrated by David Catrow, as well as No Sleep for the Sheep!, illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic, and Wild About Us!, illustrated by Janet Stevens. She lives in Northern California. For more information, visit www.karenbeaumont.com.

Janet Stevens is the author and illustrator of many beloved picture books, including Tops & Bottoms, a Caldecott Honor Book. With her sister and co-author, Susan Stevens Crummel, she created the acclaimed best-sellers The Great Fuzz Frenzy,Help Me, Mr. Mutt!, The Little Red Pen and more. She is also the illustrator of the Epossumondas books, written by renowned storyteller Coleen Salley. Janet Stevens lives in Colorado. Visit her online at janetstevens.com.

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—A warthog narrates this bouncy rhyming text to explain the uniqueness of each zoo animal, pointing out that the creatures don't mind having features that could be considered flaws. "I have TUSKS! I have WARTS! But I like what I see! In my own special way, I'm as cute as can be." There is no real story line, just a strong message of positive self-esteem: "We are all the way we are all meant to be!" Big, bold watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations pop against white backgrounds, and a variety of fonts emphasize the special characteristics of each animal, such as the long nose of the elephant or the pink feathers of the flamingo. Some spreads require that the book be rotated 90 degrees, keeping the reading experience dynamic. At the surface level, the book is a paean to diversity and the beauty of each individual. However, logic breaks down when comparing human diversity to that of animals in the zoo. For example, a child unhappy about towering over friends won't be comforted to hear that "No one laughs at Giraffe 'cause he's LANKY and TALL. Here at the zoo, there is room for us all," since it can easily be argued that all giraffes are tall by nature. VERDICT The book might work as "quick and dirty" bibliotherapy or as a discussion starter, but examining it too closely will deflate its message.—Heidi Estrin, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

About this edition

• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0152062947
• ISBN 13: 9780152062941
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Stevens Janet