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296 pp.
| Algonquin
| October, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-61620-724-3$16.95
(2)
4-6
Kit and Clem's friendship starts to unravel when acrobat Clem suffers a serious injury while on a reality TV show. Kit's reaction to this news is to morph (involuntarily and temporarily) into a naked mole rat. The off-kilter action and widespread anxieties of this novel's world includes mental illness, alopecia, and a burglar wearing a Batman mask. The story is witty and stylish with ample quirky insights, but also breathless, with italic-studded dialogue amping up the pace.
Reviewer: Sarah Ellis
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2019
(3)
K-3
Twenty-one rodents are briefly introduced and appreciated in actual-size ink illustrations for comparison with one another; for larger rodents such as the capybara, only the head appears. Munro's message is that rodents are a diverse group of clever and useful creatures. Keyed to the understanding and interest of primary grades, with added information on each rodent at the end. Websites. Bib., glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Smart Apple
| August, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59920-703-2$28.50
(3)
4-6
Pets Plus series.
These books introduce common domestic animals and their wild counterparts. Plentiful photographs and text boxes surround accessible paragraphs describing how to choose a pet, how to care for it, and common health problems. Life cycles, animal communication, and natural habitats are also discussed. Useful for those considering a pet or for report writers. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pets Plus titles: Rats and Mice, Birds, Cats, Dogs, Gerbils and Hamsters, Horses, Lizards and Snakes, and Rabbits.
32 pp.
| Candlewick
| July, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-5360-6$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Vivane Schwarz.
Some hamster-like creatures have outgrown their junkyard birthplace, so they set off on a perilous and amusing search for a new home. The brave band sticks together to triumph over obstacles--such as a puddle--that are small for humans but large for them. Witty illustrations, including some comic panels and speech balloons, depict the journey from the inexperienced critters' point of view.
32 pp.
| Houghton
| October, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-36756-9$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Lynn Munsinger.
Wodney Wat loves his new talking robot--it helps him pronounce his Rs. Then bullying classmate Camilla Capybara returns, making life miserable for Wodney and his friends. When the robot malfunctions and starts to roar ("like tigers...or grizzly bears...or lions"), Camilla skedaddles--again. With its humor, action-packed illustrations, and staunch defense of the underdog, this is a welcome sequel to Hooway for Wodney Wat.
24 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60453-738-3$24.21
(4)
4-6
Checkerboard Animal Library: Nocturnal Animals series.
Report writers won't be let down by these otherwise bland offerings. Each book offers information about the titular species's habitat, habits, care of young, and threats to survival. The books all include a map and the same diagram showing how animals see in the dark. Design elements seem intended to make the subjects spooky, even when stock photos show humans embracing the animals. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Animal Library: Nocturnal Animals titles: Aye-Ayes, Fennec Foxes, Kinkajous, Naked Mole Rats, Tarsiers, and Wombats.
40 pp.
| Hyperion
| January, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-1437-6$16.99
(3)
K-3
Wilbur's love of clothes sets the rest of the naked mole rat community abuzz with censure. In the end, though, Wilbur's oddball approach to life is both validated and celebrated. With snappy humor and snappier duds, Willems delivers the familiar be-true-to-yourself adage with panache; his expressive characters telegraph plenty of motion and emotion on sparely composed, reader-friendly spreads.
64 pp.
| Lark
| July, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-60059-242-3$9.95
(3)
4-6
By discussing the behavior of hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs in nature, this book also offers considerable information about them as pets (e.g., "hamsters stuff their cheeks with food...because no one feeds them in the wild"). Crisp photo album–style pictures with humorous captions reinforce the deft main text. Information about wild relatives such as the capybara concludes the volume. Ind.
48 pp.
| Peachtree
| September, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-56145-454-9$15.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
John Sill.
Each right-hand page features a finely detailed full-page watercolor illustration of rodents in their habitats. Left-hand pages include simple descriptive text accessible to young readers ("Rodents live almost everywhere"). The variety of species and their importance to the balance of nature are emphasized. Thumbnails at the end are accompanied by more detailed paragraphs of information. Websites. Bib., glos.
28 pp.
| Farrar/R&S
| September, 2003
|
TradeISBN 91-29-65942-6$$15.00
(4)
K-3
Translated by Joan Sandin.
Illustrated by
Olof Landstrom.
After Boris gets glasses, his life is turned around--"I had no idea there was so much to look at!"--and he decides that he should get a job. But his eyes get tired at work, so he quits, realizing that he prefers life blurry. Boris is only one of various anthropomorphized rodents depicted in detailed settings throughout this charming if morally opaque tale about the perks and drawbacks of seeing clearly.
32 pp.
| Houghton/Lorraine
| April, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-395-92392-1$$15.00
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Lynn Munsinger.
Rodney Rat, who can't pronounce his rs, is the shyest, most miserable kid in school, until one day he saves his classmates from the mean bully Camilla Capybara. Wodney's transformation from cowering to empowered is beautifully underscored in the humorous, expressive illustrations. Appealingly, Wodney doesn't need to overcome his impediment to be liked--and it's the impediment itself and Wodney's clever use of it that foils the villain.
48 pp.
| Watts
| July, 1998
|
LibraryISBN 0-531-11488-0$$22.00
(3)
4-6
Animals in Order series.
Accessible texts define these two orders of mammals and explain where they fall in the animal kingdom. Primates features fifteen animals (but doesn't include humans as the subtitle suggests), while Rodents looks at fourteen. Though brief, the books provide basic information. The bright color photographs add interest to the introductory texts. Bib., glos., ind.