Carly Allen-Fletcher

This is a really interesting and unique animal book. The opening spread, showing a colorful earth against a dramatic black background, explains that antipodes are the opposite sides of the earth. Then the book jumps into various antipodes. The top half of the spread is divided from the bottom half by the text. On the left side of the page is the text that does with the top, then you turn the book upside-down to read the bottom-half.

Antipodes included are the North and South poles; the Okavango Delta in Botswana and Big Island of Hawaii; Desert National Park in India and Easter Island; Palembang, Indonesia and La Jagua, Huila, Colombia; Kaoh Nheaek, Cambodia and Machu Picchu, Peru; Lake Baikal, Siberia, and Monte Sarmiento, Chile; Xi'an, China and Santiago, Chile; Hong Kong and La Quiaca, Argentina; Whangarei, New Zealand and Tangier, Morocco; Yasawa, Fiji and Timbuktu, Mali; then readers arrive back at the North and South poles.

The final two spreads explain more about antipodes and the book, including showing how the light changes slightly in each image, how the solar system works, and the angle of the earth. A final spread encourages readers to find their own antipode, although it's probably in the ocean! The back endpapers are covered with sketches of the many different animals included. The art is glowing with color, almost as if each place is set in the heat of the desert or shimmering glow of the Northern lights. Some places contrast wet, dense jungles with arid deserts, high-rise cities with empty tundra, while others are very similar.

Verdict: A fascinating new way to look at habitats around the world as well as an introduction to earth science and the solar system. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781939547491; Published September 2018 by Creston; Borrowed from another library in my consortium… (plus d'informations)

A beautiful bedtime story that introduces babies and toddlers to animals that live in the sea. There is very little text, telling the animals good night, but what is there is simple and flows well. The illustrations are what makes this book. They are large, colourful and vibrant. They contain other animals than those mentioned in the text. The back of the book has a page with all the animals illustrated and their names so you can go back and find them all. A great addition to a family library or a pre-school/kindergarten classroom. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.… (plus d'informations)

Through beautiful artwork, we follow Seahorse in her way home for the night. As she goes along, she wishes the critters she meets along the way a goodnight. From the expected octopus and squid, to the unusual wobbegong, we get treated to a variety of life to be found amongst the coral reefs. This is a great bedtime read for infants and toddlers. The pictures are soothing, with calming colours and shapes with softened edges. Recommended!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Muddy Boots Books for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.… (plus d'informations)