"Play Like an Animal" - a bookwrap

Just like human children, animals love to play, both to practice adult skills and to have fun.  Let's play! 

Play Like an Animal!: Why Critters Splash, Race, Twirl, and Chase

Authored by Maria Gianferrari

Illustrated by Mia Powell

* Ages: 4-8

* Grade Level:  PS-3

* Page Count:  32 pages

* Publisher:  Millbrook Press TM

* Pub. Date:  April 7, 2020

* Sold by:  Amazon.com Services LLC

* Language:  English

Praise

Kirkus:  "Gianferrari plays with words, especially action verbs, to introduce an unusual array of animals. … A lively addition to the animal shelf."

Booklist:   "An inviting choice for animal-lovers."

School Library Journal:   "A fun way for children to realize that animals play just like them. Great for libraries looking to beef up their animal collections.”

Unwrapping Some Wonderful Illustrations for You

The Book

This book works on so many levels.  It's full of playful action vocabulary,  a variety of animals from around the world, and embedded explanations that add more in-depth information regarding that featured animal.  

Animals love to play.  As they do they learn to socialize and absorb survival skills.  Through their playtimes they discover how to play fairly, co-operate, play by the rules and show compassion, just to name a few.  Some of the animals are unfamiliar to me and I love that because I got to learn also as I was reading through.  The author features:  collared peccaries, rhinos, monkeys, ravens, river otters, dolphins, elephants, kangaroos, rats, owls, ungulates, gorillas, keas, and.....YOU!   

The illustrator uses paints, handmade textures and digital techniques to highlight where and how the animals celebrate their playfulness.  To make the book interactive and even more fun she includes her own black dog in some of the illustrations.  On her jacket-flap bio she encourages kids to find him.  That's a fun feature.  

The author includes more in-depth, animals facts, and cites further reading opportunities to learn even more interesting facts at at the end of the book.   I highly recommend it. 

Storywraps Rating - 5 +++ HUGS!

Meet the Author

Maria's childhood playground was nature:  climbing trees, playing hide-and-seek in the cornfield, and slapping cow patties for fun!  Nowadays she tries to keep the spirit of play alive in her writing.  She enjoys playing Dominion with her family sans the curse cards, and her dog, Becca, is always ready for a game of "catch the flying biscuit."  Visit her online at mariagianferrari.com. 

About the Illustrator 

Mia Powell is a mixed medial illustrator based in the United Kingdom.  She draws digitally but likes to incorporate handmade textures and elements into her artwork as well. Mia loves to play with her dog, and she has drawn him in the pages of this book.  He is black-and-white and loves to chase, especially squirrels!  See if you can spot him.  Find Mia online at www.mia-powell.co.uk. 

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It's a wrap! 

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