Under Threat: An Album of Endangered Animals by Jenkins and Frost - ESSENTIAL

Under Threat: An Album of Endangered Animals by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Tom Frost, 63 pages. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Candlewick, 2019.  $20. 9781536205435

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ESSENTIAL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

30 animals each get 2 pages – one a gorgeous illustration looking like a postage stamp, and the other an excellent explanation of the animal and then how humans have caused them to become endangered. I would love to have two copies of this book to make a classroom set of study pages for students to use for a short project.  I love these!

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

The Squirrels’ Busy Year by Martin Jenkins - OPTIONAL

The Squirrels’ Busy Year: A First Science Storybook by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Richard Jones. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Candlewick Press, 2018. $17 9780763696009

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K – OPTIONAL.  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This book is divided up into seasons and follow two squirrels throughout the year. We see the changing weather, plants, and animal patterns. There are teaching aids in the front and back of the story and a small index. 

The very small index would be a great introduction to it’s use for a young class. The story, however, feels a bit scattered - you are following the squirrels all seasons but also an owl sometimes and frogs for a couple seasons. I found it hard to follow, but it does have solid information and nice illustrations. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Bird Builds a Nest by Martin Jenkins - ADVISABLE

Jenkins, Martin Bird Builds a Nest (A First Science Storybook), illustrated by Richard Jones.  PICTURE BOOK.  Candlewick, 2018.  $17.  9780763693466

Bird is busy building a nest to get ready for her new eggs.

The summary is simple, but Jenkins has brilliantly added science concepts to the text in creative ways to introduce gravity and force to very small readers.  I am curious how many parents would take the time to actually discuss this aspect with their child – teachers will pick up on this and use it much more avidly, I think.  The color palette for Jones’s illustrations has a retro feel – a little funky, a little dull. They have more of an autumn feel, rather than the spring feeling I would expect.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Fabulous Frogs by Martin Jenkins - ESSENTIAL

Jenkins, Martin  Fabulous Frogs  Illustrated by Tim Hopgood Candlewick Press, 2015.  $16.99  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.   

This is a look at some of the more interesting frogs in the world.  The first couple of pages describe the basic qualities of all frogs, including their tadpole stage.  Then throughout the rest of the book there are different interesting frogs.  They are labeled and then a short paragraph gives further details about that frog.  

The illustrations are fantastic and the writing style is entertaining.  The author uses first person, but it works with the story and makes the reader feel like they are learning from a friend.  Good stuff!   

EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

I've Seen the Promised Land by Walter Dean Myers-ESSENTIAL

Myers, Walter Dean, ill. by Jenkins, Leonard, I’ve Seen the Promised Land. HarperCollins, 2004. Pgs. 35. INFORMATION.

Who was Martin Luther King, Jr. How was he a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement? This book talks about this and more.

Amazing illustrations that complement the text, Informative, accurate text. Readers who are interested in learning about the civil rights movement or who need to read a non-fiction or biography book will enjoy reading this book. This would make a great addition to any school or library collection.

EL, MS. ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Can We Save the Tiger? by Martin Jenkins - ESSENTIAL

Jenkins, Martin. White, Vicky. Can We Save the Tiger? 56 pgs. Candlewick, 2011. $16.99. Language-G; Violence-G; Sexual Content-G. Back cover: “The tiger is just one of thousands of animals- including the ground iguana, the white-rumped vulture, and the partula snail- currently in danger of becoming extinct, joining the dodo, the marsupial wolf, the great auk, and countless others we will never see again. Look inside to learn why these animals are disappearing and to find out how some have been brought back from the brink of extinction.” This is a well written, informative and interesting nonfiction book about animal extinction. The author wrote the information on a level that would be understood by children. He also included detailed facts about many animals for those who love factual information. We loved the drawings and illustrations. The colors are beautiful intermixed with the pencil sketches! It would be a difficult “read aloud” book, but would make a great reference book to any library. EL (K-3). ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: SL.