FICTION

Spectacular Spots

by Susan STOCKDALE
illus. by Susan Stockdale. 32p. Peachtree. 2015. Tr $15.95. ISBN 9781561458172. LC 2014006503.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—A simple, rhyming text graced with large, colorful acrylics provides a wide window into the physical characteristic of spots in the natural world. Relying on minimalist text ("crawling crabs," "chasing cheetahs," "napping fawn") and a painterly hand, Stockdale introduces a variety of creatures, some of which will be familiar to the intended young audience (think horses and ladybugs), others of which will be exotic and intriguing (calico crabs, helmeted guinea pigs). Parents and educators will find the back matter useful. A brief paragraph about each animal provides a smidgen of further information, including why these creature have spots (to warn, camouflage, intimidate), while a concluding game asks, "Can you find the animals that belong to these spots?"
VERDICT An attractive, briefly informative, fun offering for the curious of mind.
Reviewed by Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Paired with simple rhymes, bold, colorful (if sometimes not very detailed) illustrations depict various spotted animals--both new and familiar--such as a buckeye butterfly, jaguar, calico crab, green anaconda, and Dalmatian. A section at book's end explains a little about each animal and why their spotted patterns are helpful in nature. A matching game is appended.
, Apr 01, 2015

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BLOGS

Fast Five Interview: Keith Ward, Karl Buechner, and Jeremy Mueller: Three Voices, One Epic Adventure
by Amanda MacGregor
BOOKS

You’re My Deerest: A Christmas Book of Love!
by Evans, Harriet
BOOKS

If We Survive This
by Marie, Racquel
BOOKS

Kid the Goat Won’t Wear His Christmas Coat
by Stenner, Lana
BOOKS

The Haunting of Bellington Cottage
by Parnum, Laura
BOOKS

The School for Thieves
by Burns, Peter
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?