The creator of A Book of Sleep introduces youngest book lovers to nine different animals in spring, "when the flowers begin to bloom and the world starts turning green"--on their very first day.
The illustrations, with bark, twigs and ferns that look textured enough for little fingers to touch, hint at whimsy. Multicolored leaves, light spiral patterns in the grass and sky, and kaleidoscopic scales on fish will pique children's interest as the author-artist lays out the facts. "Noisy ducklings" take the spotlight. One makes eye contact with a school of fish ("Some have lots of brothers and sisters"); another observes a monkey family ("Some have none at all"). Mothers and fathers both get mentions ("Some are carried in their mommy's pouch./ Some are carried in their daddy's pouch!"), and everyone needs a rest at day's end. Littlest ones will delight in searching for the duckling on every page.
Pair this with My First Day by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page for children who want more scientific details to appreciate fully the animals in these gorgeously fanciful compositions, comprised of handmade textures, and layered in digitally. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness