A house in the sky : and other uncommon animal homes / Steve Jenkins ; illustrated by Robbin Gourley.

Title:

Author:

Jenkins, Steve, 1952-2021

Additional Author(s):

Gourley, Robbin,

ISBN:

9781580897808

1580897800

Publication Info:

Watertown, MA :

Description:

32 unnumbered pages : color illustrations ; 24 cm

Summary:

"Dual layers of text explain how and why diverse animals make homes specific to their needs. From the turtle's shell, the beaver's lodge, or the seal's cave, each animal requires a special kind of home."--

Subject(s):

Animals -- Habitations -- Juvenile literature.

Animal behavior -- Juvenile literature.

Holds: Copies (not including on-order items):

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Call Number	Shelf Location	Status	Item Holds
Searching... East Library	Children's Book	591.564 JENK	Children's-J-Nonfiction	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable
Searching... High Prairie Library	Children's Book	591.564 JENK	Children's-J-Nonfiction	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable
Searching... Library 21c	Children's Book	591.564 JENK	Children's-J-Nonfiction	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Caldecott Honor recipient Steve Jenkins shines as the author of this amusing and thorough introduction to animal homes.

Turtles, birds, fish, beavers, and kangaroos are just like people--they need homes, and take up residence in unusual places. A simple main text introduces similarities between human and animal homes while sidebars detail the unique qualities of each animal and its home. Stylized yet realistic watercolor illustrations prove that nonfiction can be accurate and elegant, and readers of all ages will appreciate this layered narrative.

Author Notes

Steve Jenkins is the award-winning, Caldecott Honor author/illustrator of more than thirty books about the natural world for young readers. A few of his critically acclaimed titles include, Down, Down, Down- A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea ; What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? ; and Eye to Eye- How Animals See The World .

Robbin Gourley, is the author/illustrator of several children's books. She illustrated First Garden- The White House Garden and How It Grew and both wrote and illustrated Bring Me Some Apples and I'll Make You a Pie- A Story About Edna Lewis .

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 3-A thoughtful picture book about where we live and why we live there. What are houses used for-to shelter, to impress, to protect? The text raises these and other questions, and each spread includes a whimsical watercolor illustration of an animal's home. Gourley balances muted tones with bright swipes of color to direct readers' attentions to specific elements of the structures. The examinations of creatures going about daily life are striking. Ants work, adult birds guard babies in the nest, whales bear barnacle colonies on their backs, the tree-kangaroo sleeps, the badger burrows; houses in the sky, houses on land, and houses underwater-each scene is depicted with care and includes more detailed information in a smaller font beneath the main text. Young ones can playfully enjoy Jenkins's warm prose and Gourley's delicate art, while older readers can engage in exploratory learning. More robust explanations of the different species at the end of the book make it an excellent STEM offering. -VERDICT Purchase for its jeu d'esprit, its attention to detail, and its respect for the intelligence of its young audience.-Chelsea Woods, New Brunswick Free Public Library, NJ © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

Opening with the idea that animals, like people, often need a cozy place to sleep, a hideaway for escaping danger, or a safe place to raise a family, this informative picture book introduces a series of animals and their homes. From tree kangaroos to burrowing owls to barnacles on gray whales, Jenkins writes succinctly about these animals and their surprisingly varied dwellings. Each full-page or double-page entry presents a type of home and how it serves its occupant. Well suited to younger children, the main large-print text might include several animals in the one sentence that extends over multiple pages. A sentence or two in small type relates directly to the illustration. The book's conclusion turns the opening sentence around in a satisfying way. An appended section offers additional facts about each animal, such as its size, location, migration, and diet. Gourley's graceful, appealing watercolor illustrations support the text beautifully. Showing a broad range of animal homes and explaining related behaviors, this book is an effective read-aloud choice in the classroom or at home.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2018 Booklist

Excerpts

Animals, like people, often need a cozy place to sleep, a hideaway for escaping danger, or a safe place to raise a family. They need a house. Excerpted from A House in the Sky by Steve Jenkins All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.