Up the Creek (Life in the Wild, 4) - Hardcover

Oldland, Nicholas

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1894786327 ISBN 13: 9781894786324

Publisher: Kids Can Press, 2013

Synopsis

?There once was a bear, a moose and a beaver who were the best of friends, though they often disagreed.? So when the three friends go canoeing together one sunny day, it doesn't take long for them to start quarreling with one another. First, they can't decide who should get to steer the canoe. Later, they debate how best to get across a beaver dam that blocks their way. But when they can't agree on the proper course for maneuvering through the white-water rapids they suddenly find themselves in, the consequences become truly perilous. It takes a long, uncomfortable night spent stranded on a rock to remind the bear, the moose and the beaver what they often forget: everything turns out better when they work together as a team.

As with his other popular books in the Life in the Wild series, featuring these three lovable animal characters, author-illustrator Nicholas Oldland has created a funny romp of a picture book adventure for young children that will be a favorite choice in the classroom. Oldland's distinctive, simple and playful artwork tells much of the tale on its own, with lots of visual humor in the characters' facial expressions and the numerous asides throughout. At its core, this is a fun, contemporary fable that champions the importance of teamwork, cooperation and communication while also promoting the joys to be found in nature, specifically the wilder parts of the outdoors. This book could serve as an introduction to discussions on animals and their environments in the early grades as well.

About this title

About the Author

Nicholas Oldland earned a degree in fine arts at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Canada, and enjoyed success as a commercial artist and filmmaker before taking up the role of creative director at Hatley, a popular apparel company. Big Bear Hug is his first picture book.

Nicholas Oldland earned a degree in fine arts at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Canada, and enjoyed success as a commercial artist and filmmaker before taking up the role of creative director at Hatley, a popular apparel company. Big Bear Hug is his first picture book.

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 2–In this fourth title about a bear, moose, and beaver, the three critters decide to take a canoe trip. It seems like a good idea, but the friends quickly learn that failing to work together causes many problems; they disagree on small issues, such as who will steer the boat and how to do it correctly. Readers are introduced to nautical and canoeing terms such as “stern,” “portside,” “portage,” “current,” etc. Oldland's simple text and spare illustrations keep the story moving at a good pace. Throughout the tale, a charming red bird mimics the friends' actions. The story addresses friendship, animals, humor, the outdoors, and cooperation.–Janene Corbin, Rosebank Elementary School, Nashville, TNα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About this edition

• Publisher: Kids Can Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1894786327
• ISBN 13: 9781894786324
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Oldland Nicholas