About the Author:
Gail Saunders-Smith is an assistant education professor at Youngstown State University in Ohio. She is also an independent staff developer, writer, and editor. She presents nationally at conferences on literacy development and instruction and has written numerous articles, children's non-fiction books, and professional resources. Gail holds a B.S. and M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Kent State University and a M.S. in Administration and Supervision from Youngstown State University. She completed post-graduate work at The Ohio State University and earned a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from The University of Akron. Gail is a former classroom teacher, Reading Recovery Teacher Leader, and Reading/Language Arts K-12 Supervisor and Coordinator of State and Federal Programs for the Summit County ESC.
Review:
These "day in the life" snapshots of wild animals are designed to entertain children while teaching basic animal traits. The content highlights key physical characteristics, behaviors, diets, and nesting spaces. Bald Eagles and Opossums, the only titles using feminine pronouns, also reference the species' young. Chipmunks focuses on the fall season leading into winter, while Badgers and Opossums take place at night. Anthropomorphisms and exclamation points are used in every book, mostly to convey fear or happiness (for example, in Eagles, "Wow! A fish!.... Yum!"). The bright colors and clear photos are mostly well chosen, although the occasional use of obvious stock photos does detract from the text. For instance, in Skunks, a skunk is featured outdoors in a grassy area, but the threatening bobcat appears surrounded by white space, and the difference in setting is likely to confuse readers. VERDICT The short sentences and carefully selected vocabulary will please new readers. --School Library Journal, Series Made Simple (04/2016)
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.