We Travel So Far - Hardcover

Knowles, Laura

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1770859853 ISBN 13: 9781770859852

Publisher: Firefly Books, 2018

Synopsis

The stupendous migrations undertaken by more than 25 of the world's animals, including humans.

This beautifully illustrated picture book looks at the epic migrations that mammals, birds, fish and insects undertake every year, crossing hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles to reach breeding grounds, nesting sites and food sources. From the epic migration of the enormous humpback whale to the staggering determination of the tiny hummingbird and the mass migration of millions of wildebeests, each animal tells its own "micro-story" -- the reason that it travels so very far and the risks of the journey.

Migration data describe the animals' migration routes and an earth map lets readers find and follow the animals' long and dangerous journeys.

Animals profiled:

• Leatherback Turtle
• Zebra
• Humpback Whale
• Wildebeest
• Sockeye Salmon
• Polar Bear
• Caribbean Spiny Lobster
• Red Crab
• Elephant Seal
• Garter Snake
• European Eel
• Caribou
• Ruby-throated Hummingbird
• Common Toad
• Wandering Albatross
• African Elephant
• Monarch Butterfly
• Norway Lemming
• Whooping Crane
• Emperor Penguin
• Fruit Bat
• Galapagos Land Iguana
• Bar-headed Goose
• Desert Locust
• Arctic Tern
• The People's Story
• A Map of the World
• Migration Data

We Travel So Far is a unique and beautifully presented introduction to a part of the lives of many animals which is usually missing from children's picture books.

About this title

About the Author

Laura Knowles has a background in children's publishing and is the author of Once Upon a Jungle. Her love of natural history, words and art have drawn her to work on books about animals and nature.

Chris Madden is a design and visual artist whose illustrations have appeared in many national magazines and newspapers. He lives in the UK.

Review

Children will find much to hold their attention here. The animals narrate their own stories, and the prose is full of relevancy. They tell where their travels will take them and why they have undertaken such a journey. The first person narrative gives a real feeling of immediacy for those reading it. The migrations happen all around the world, are shared with little fanfare, and offer just the right amount of information to satisfy most readers. (Sal's Fiction Addition 2018-08-31)

"Use of the first person plural and descriptive words adds to the reader's enjoyment of the book... The text layout is strategic as well in that its placement (sentences separated by a wide space and sometimes a sentence's curved or wavy shape) causes the reader to slow down and pause between sentences, effectively making the prose sound more like poetry ("with pounding hooves we keep up our march, stumbling, rumbling, safety-in-numbering") and causing the reader to ponder the information... The illustrations suit the mood and pace of the text. Their colours are muted, shades of gray, teal, tan and green, with occasional bursts of vivid red or orange. At the back of the book is a map of the world which invites readers to trace the migration routes of some of the animals mentioned in the book. A migration data sheet indicates each featured animal's migration distance and area (e.g. from open ocean to lakes and streams, or a circular route following the rains of the Serengeti). Also
provided is a table of contents... A perfect introduction to the epic journeys that many animals take and is most worthy of purchase. Highly Recommended." (Gail Hamilton Canadian Review of Materials 2018-09-07)

Readers familiar with the seasonal migration of geese and monarch butterflies may be surprised to learn of other animal travelers and the distances they migrate... In earth-toned illustrations, Madden depicts animals enroute to their destinations via land, water, and sky. (Publishers Weekly 2018-09-17)

This gorgeously illustrated picture book summarizes the migration of animals by water, air and land. From the familiar Monarch butterfly and wildebeest to the exotic Caribbean spiny lobster and Galapagos land iguana, 25 journeys around the world are outlined in simple, informative text. This is a fantastic addition to the library of young non-fiction lovers and classroom teachers. (Barbra Hesson Calgary Herald 2019-02-04)

This book is just beautiful. Lots and lots of interesting facts about animals around the world. I learned quite a few things. The art details are incredible, so vividly portrayed the lives of animals. As we turned the pages, my kiddo was pointing to the animals and saying, "look, pretty butterflies." I would then read and explain how butterflies travel and that "when they reach their winter home, they hang in clusters from trees and sleep until spring." Each animal story is unique, incredible and will sure keep your child's interest. (Olga Popivker Stylish Modern Motherhood 2019-01-28)

Selection, Holiday Book Gift Guide 2018... Madden's art puts the book over the top, with pages of land- and sea-scapes, flights and swarms, deep skies and flashing wings. (Deborah Dundas Toronto Star 2018-12-07)

Want to shock a kid who thinks the walk home from school is far? Pick up a copy of We Travel So Far and learn about the migrations of more than two dozen animals, including the record-holding Arctic tern, which travels about 80,500 kilometers a year. Every animal tells its own story over two pages of beautiful illustrations depicting the awe-inspiring journeys. From humpback whales in search of tropical breeding areas to Caribbean spiny lobsters looking for calmer waters when the stormy season hits, readers will walk away with an excellent understanding of the reasons animals migrate. A map at the end of the book invites readers to plot the animals' courses, and migration data details how far they travel and their range. (Raina Delisle Hakai Magazine 2018-11-19)

While taking readers around the world, this book discusses various species' migrations... Each animal is given a two-page spread that discusses the potential motivations for migration, and many hint at the challenges encountered along the way... The illustrations appear to be digitally created and span both pages, making good use of color and composition. If read to a class or group, the illustrations would project well to the back of the room. The final animals discussed are humans, and the range of ages, skin tones, and cultures is noteworthy. (Kirkus 2018-07-16)

(review of UK edition) This is the sort of amazing book that would be such a brilliant addition to any early years programme where animals are a key subject. Learning early on about a huge number of different types of animal, but also learning a lot about what they do and how they live their lives really stimulates children into wanting to learn and find out even more, and also instills in them a sense that these animals really should be protected for many generations to come. The illustrations are utterly amazing. (Read It Daddy Blog 2017-10-31)

(review of UK edition) Beautifully informative non-fiction book for young children introducing them to the migration stories of different creatures. Rhythmic repetition in the writing, and stylish full-colour page illustrations combine to create a really pleasing title. (Achuka Blog 2017-09-26)

About this edition

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1770859853
• ISBN 13: 9781770859852
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 64
• Illustrator: Madden Chris