Susan Stockdale

Stunning yet accurate illustrations accompany a gently rhyming, rhythmic text to introduce the behavior of a variety of birds. Brief information about the birds shown encourages young readers to want to learn more about these handsome creatures.

Animals care for and carry their young much like people do — from kangaroos carrying babies in pouches in the Australian outback to penguin babies perched on their parents’ feet in the frozen Antarctic. This is brought to life in Stockdale’s signature style of lyrical text and richly hued illustrations.  

Fluid verse and detailed, bordered illustrations present the water homes of a range of fish. Those interested in finding out more about the individual creatures presented may want to locate Stockdale’s informational picture book (opens in a new window) with the same title.

Flowers appear like other things like “Heralding trumpets,/a Mexican hat./Skittering spiders,/a fluttering bat.” But each flower illustrated is real, part of a plant. To make sure readers know this, a photograph accompanied by the common and scientific names as well as where the flower is found and how it is pollinated concludes this intriguing book.

There are many reasons why animals form a line ranging from protection to efficient flying.  In an informative rhyming narrative accompanied by crisp illustrations with additional information at the end, readers discover why (and how) animals form lines.

Many animals on land and in the water, familiar and exotic, have spots — seen here through brief, poetic language and carefully crafted illustrations: “Spots with purpose, spots with flair. Spotted creatures everywhere!” Additional information about the animals and where they live concludes this handsome informational book.

Stripes are found in nature in a variety of flora and fauna in many habitats. From exotic to domestic, revel in observing stripes in carefully crafted illustrations and lyrical text. Additional information and a playful call to match animal with stripe ends this handsome volume.