Fact Friday: A Leopard Diary: My Journey into the Hidden World of a Mother and Her Cubs by Suzi Eszterhas

Image: Owlkids 

A Leopard Diary: My Journey into the Hidden World of a Mother and Her Cubs by Suzi Eszterhas. 40 p. Owlkids Books, November, 2022. 978-1771474917. Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.

Happy Friday! Well, I made it! My February break starts at 3:10 today! I am so ready. Nothing is planned for the week except lots of walks with Boo, yoga daily and whatever chores strike my fancy. Oh, and reading. 

Fact Friday features A Leopard Diary: My Journey into the Hidden World of a Mother and Her Cubs by Suzi Eszterhas. I've featured books by Ms. Eszterhas before. She's an uber-talented wildlife photographer whose photoessays are as charming as they are informative. In A Leopard Diary, she traveled to an animal refuge in Botswana to attempt to chronicle how a leopard mothers her cubs. She had the help of an expert guide named Kambango, who successfully tracked the trio as Mama constantly changed den locations. The writing, in diary format, is engaging and the author's enthusiasm and passion for her work is evident. The accompanying photos are crisp and varied as readers get a rare glimpse into the life of a young leopard family.

This stunner won't be a shelf sitter. 

Fact Friday: Picturing a Nation: the Great Depression's Finest Photographers Introduce America to Itself by Martin W. Sandler

Image: Candlewick Press

Picturing a Nation: the Great Depression's Finest Photographers Introduce America to Itself by Martin W. Sandler. 166 p. Candlewick Press, November, 2021. 9781536215250. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Fact Friday features Picturing a Nation: the Great Depression's Finest Photographers Introduce America to Itself by Martin W. Sandler. In 1935, the Farm Security Administration hired photographers to document the work of the administration all across America during the Great Depression. These photographers, including Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, and Gordon Parks, soon shifted their focus from the government agents to the people they were helping. The result was over 200,000 photos of Americans, young and old, rural and urban, Black and white, doing the best they could during an unprecidented time. A few of these photos might already be familiar to readers, especially the iconic images of Dorothea Lange. While there is plenty to learn from the captions, the photos are the stars here. This is a gorgeous, thought-provoking book to browse frequently.

Highly recommended. 

Fact Friday: New on Earth: Baby Animals in the Wild by Suzi Eszterhas

Image: Simon & Schuster

New on Earth: Baby Animals in the Wild by Suzi Eszterhas. 352 p. Earth Aware Editions/ Simon & Schuster, March, 2021. 9781647221423. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy Friday! The weather buzz is all over the place as we hunker down for anything from a blizzard to zero snowfall here in northern NJ. Fact Friday features New on Earth: Baby Animals in the Wild by Suzi Eszterhas. Ms. Eszterhas' name should ring a bell among careful readers of The Daily Book Talk. She's a professional wildlife photographer and I have featured her books on Fact Friday often. This book features, well, baby animals from all around the world. The photos are well-captioned, containing bite-sized tidbits of information about the animal and or the photographic techniques used to get the shot. There are baby bears in Alaska, baby tigers in India, cheetahs in Africa. The photos are all stunning and many just tickle the "aw, so cute!" button.

If you love animals, this is the book for you. If you are interested in conservation, this is the book for you. If you are a budding wildlife photographer... As an additional point of interest, the author is donating 30% if the proceeds to the Wildlife Conservation Network. I have a wait list for the book in my library already. It's sure to be a crowd pleaser. 

Fact Friday: African Critters by Robert Haas

Happy Friday TMS Readers! The snow sure is pretty here in NJ. We were supposed to have a delayed opening, but the call came through changing it to a snow day a little before 7. My dogs are excited by the snow, that's for sure. And they will be happy to have me home. I feel bad leaving them each morning. They both look at me so mournfully. The shepherd is almost 8 and the lab is 2. My husband retired when the shepherd was 9 months, so neither dog is used to spending much time without a human. I run home each day during my lunch period to run them out and say hello. They are both fully capable of holding it and would probably adjust to the new schedule, but we are all still mourning our loss and it gives me comfort to see them.

African Critters by Robert Haas. 96 p. National Geographic, 2008. 9781426303173. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

I found this gem while reading my library's shelves! Fact Friday features African Critters by Robert Haas. Mr. Haas is a wildlife photographer for National Geographic. He compiled and sometimes collaged his photos from a handful of his assignments for Nat Geo. His first-person accountings give readers insight into the natural world on the continent of Africa. He and his crew had to figure out where a mama leopard hid her cubs, then they had to set up their cameras and wait patiently for her to go out hunting and for them to emerge. They recorded images of elephants protecting a calf from predators and a pack of wild dogs stalking a herd of antelopes, among others.

The bite-sized bits of information are fascinating, but the images are mesmerizing. Back matter includes an author's note, glossary, index, references and recommended reading of other Nat Geo titles. If you love animals, you will definitely want to check this book out.

Fact Friday: My Wild Life: Adventures of a Wildlife Photographer by Suzi Eszterhas

Image: Owlkids Books

My Wild Life: Adventures of a Wildlife Photographer by Suzi Eszterhas. 32 p. Owlkids Books, October, 2020. 9781771474078. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

It's finally Friday! This felt like a very long week to me, considering I thought that Wednesday was Thursday. Fact Friday features My Wild Life: Adventures of a Wildlife Photographer by Suzy Eszterhas. Ms. Eszterhas is one of a few women working as a wildlife photographer. It is something she has wanted to do ever since she received a camera from her mother and she began taking pictures of her cat in her backyard. She has traveled all over the world to photograph wildlife. Doing so requires a lot of waiting and patience, but it so worth it once she gets the shots.

Her picture book autobiography is conversational and informative, giving young readers a glimpse into her work. Her love for her job is evident in each chapter. There are photos of the photographer at work as well as plenty of Ms. Eszterhas' gorgeous photos. Back matter includes FAQs.

Give this to budding photographers, animal lovers and fans of the photographer's books. 

Fact Friday: Zion Unmatched by Zion Clark and James S. Hirsch (Again a day late!)

Image: Candlewick Press

Zion Unmatched by Zion Clark and James S. Hirsch. 32 p. Candlewick Press, August, 2021. 9781536224184. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Happy Saturday! I'm stumbling out of the gate here with my posts this first week of school. I have managed to post to the learning platform at school and our public library's FB page, but not here! Apologies. We had quite the first day back at school on Thursday thanks to the remnants of Hurricane Ida.  As usual, Closter students rose to the occasion with good humor and energy, making my Fact Friday choice quite fitting. 

Fact Friday features Zion Unmatched by Zion Clark and James S. Hirsch. Students in sixth through eighth grades may remember viewing a video about elite athlete, Zion Clark during advisory last spring. Mr. Clark was born without legs and was quickly abandoned by his birth mother. He grew up in the foster care system, where he experienced abuse and neglect. Nevertheless, he taught himself to walk by using his hands and strove to do his best in school. He discovered wrestling in high school and also became a champion wheelchair racer and hand-cycler. Today, he's a motivational speaker and entrepreneur as well. This photo-essay/memoir is the first of a planned trilogy.

The full-color, slightly over-sized photos of Mr. Clark are striking. His energy and determination are evident in each. There are inspirational quotes sprinkled throughout, but unnecessary because the man is the inspiration. The photo-essay is a nice introduction to Mr. Clark. I am hoping that future volumes contain more detail about his life and what he did to overcome his challenges and thrive. 

Zion Unmatched will have wide appeal and is a recommended addition to any school, classroom or public library. 

Fact Friday: Strange Nature: the Insect Portraits of Levon Bliss by Gary Mone

Image: Abrams Books

Strange Nature: the Insect Portraits of Levon Bliss by Gary Mone. Illustrated by Levon Bliss. 40 p. Abrams Books for Young Readers/ Abrams Books, March, 2021. 9781419731662. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.)

Fact Friday features Strange Nature: the Insect Portraits of Levon Bliss by Gary Mone. Calling all entomologists! Mr. Mone has adapted Mr. Bliss' book for adults entitled, Microsculpture, for young people and it is not to be missed. One page features a stunning photo of an insect and the opposite page contains information, like the size, location and other fascinating facts presented in a conversational, sometimes humorous way. This is definitely a book to meander through, stopping to pore over the photos, which not only feature the full insect, but extreme close-ups of various body parts.  

Back matter includes a glossary and an invitation to learn more about the world of microsculpture by visiting microsculpture.net. I had a hard time wrapping my head around how Mr. Bliss created these phenomenal photos and visited the site. It was very helpful to view the short movie. 

Waiting on Wednesday: In Search of Safety: voices of refugees by Susan Kuklin

Image: Candlewick Press

In Search of Safety: voices of refugees by Susan Kuklin. 256 p. Candlewick Press, May 12, 2020. 9780763679606.

Continuing Tuesday's theme of social justice, Waiting on Wednesday features In Search of Safety: voices of refugees by Susan Kuklin. Kuklin is a champion of the "other." Her photoessays are powerful and difficult to look away from. In this photoessay, readers learn the stories of five refugees - people who have escaped war and genocide to resettle in the U.S. 

Picture Book Review: Butterflies in Room 6: see how they grow by Caroline Arnold

Image: Charlesbridge

Butterflies in Room 6: see how they grow by Caroline Arnold. Unpgd. Charlesbridge, March, 2019. 9781580898942. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

I've worked with children between the ages of three to eighteen in the last thirty years. I am happy to have had such a wide range of experiences. I'm also lucky to love every age group. Really! I don't have a favorite age! There is something to love about each. Reading this delightful photo-essay made me nostalgic for elementary school though. The look of joy, of unbridled curiosity and unmasked enthusiasm on Mrs. Best's students was just happy-making. Yay! Hands on science!

Butterflies in Room 6 entices right from the cover. Full-color photos depict a variety of scenes from painted lady butterflies in the wild to the four stages of their life. The design is lovely as well from its heavy stock paper that will hold up to many readings to the leaf-shaped text "boxes" that contain extra information. The story of Mrs. Best's science activity is told clearly and accessibly with a large-ish, pleasing font. The candid shots of her students are precious and the more scientific shots and close-ups are helpfully labelled. Extra information is included in the back matter including, Butterfly Questions; a glossary; four websites and five books for further reading.

Butterflies in Room 6 is a great addition to any school library or elementary classroom!

Review: Moto and Me by Suzi Eszterhas

Moto and Me: my year as a wildcat's foster mom by Suzi Eszterhas. 40 p. Owlkids Books, April, 2017. 9781771472425. (Review from copy borrowed from public library.)

I was browsing the new books section at my spectacular public library  the other day. Honestly, I love the public library that is conveniently located across the street from my school! My own town's library is small and lovely and completely serviceable, thanks to the ability to ILL. My second public library, the one I visit most often is Amazing! 

Now, I ask you, how can you possibly resist this cover? It definitely has the "aw" factor. Once lured, readers are in for a lovely memoir of the months the author/ photographer spent fostering a serval. A serval is a medium-sized, spotted African wildcat. They have the longest legs and the biggest ears of all the cats for their body size, lending an air of goofiness. They use those long legs to jump really high and run really fast. (p. 38)

Ms. Eszterhas is a wildlife photographer who travels the world photographing animals. She spent nearly three years in the Masai Mara, a wildlife preserve in Kenya. Moto, named for the Masai word for fire, was being carried by his mother across a road to escape a brush fire, when she was startled by a jeep carrying tourists. She dropped her kitten and fled to safety at the side of the road. The jeep stopped to investigate; but the tourists didn't see her and they carried the helpless kitten to a park ranger, who then contacted the author. The kitten was only about two weeks old and required a lot of attention and care. She also had to take care not to domesticate him. 

The story is engaging and well-organized. The font is pleasing and there's plenty of white space. There are plenty of well-captioned photographs documenting all the milestones in Moto's life. Some are full-page, some are collages and others are more snapshot-sized. Each one is cuter than the last. Case in point, my class was doing some writing so I thought I'd work on this post. A student looked over as I flipped through the book and said, "Aw-w! Let me see!" Soon, there was a gaggle of sixth graders oohing over it. See what I mean? Display this prominently and it won't spend much time on the shelf.

The book has value as a conversation starter in a conservation unit or as an introduction to said unit. It can also be used as a mentor text in a memoir unit. A final page in the book contains additional facts about servals. There is no other back matter. The book is dedicated to all the wildlife rescuers in the world. According the jacket flap, a portion of the royalties are being donated to the Mara Conservancy. Visit Ms. Eszterhas' beautiful website here. This is the first book I've read by the author, but won't be my last. I am shocked that I have missed her work. Don't you! Moto and Me is a wonderful addition to any collection.

Non-Fiction Monday: The Hidden Life of a Toad by Doug Wechsler

The Hidden Life of a Toad by Doug Wechsler. 48 p. Charlesbridge, March, 2017. 9781580897389. (Review from finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

A conversational text featuring short sentences that neatly incorporates scientific terminology, follows the life cycle of a toad through three years - from embryo floating in spagetti-like gel through maturation and the fertilization and laying of her own eggs. The book is attractively designed with a colorful blue background, easily read font and size and full-color photographs spread over one and a half pages that beautifully illustrate each phase from embryo onward. The photos are all super-up-close and absolutely fascinating. Sometimes, scale can be lost in up-close photos and the author indicates the relative size in the text and in a photo at the end of the book. It boggles the mind that the embryos one is staring at are actually smaller than the space inside the letter o. Then one wonders how the author/ photographer actually got these shots. (See next sentence)

The backmatter is plentiful. It includes an illustrated glossary, an explanation of the differences between a frog and a toad, more toad facts, information about saving toads, a page explaining how the author obtained the photos and three books and three websites, including the author's own, for further reading. Perfect for your budding naturalists, fact-hounds and report writing!

This is a first-purchase for school and classroom libraries for any age. The students I read this to were absolutely fascinated from beginning to end. Then, they asked for the book and pored over it again.

Non-Fiction Monday: Penguin Day: a family story by Nic Bishop

Penguin Day: a family story by Nic Bishop. unpgd. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc,, February, 2017.  9780545206365. (Review from finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Let's see, I started working in a school library in 1998. In 1999, I came across this great little non-fiction read aloud, The Tree Frog by Joy Crowley with superb photographs by Nic Bishop. I became an instant fan and it was not long before any book he was associated with became an automatic purchase. Penguin Day: a family story continues the tradition of excellence.

Per the photographer's note, Bishop spent three weeks in Antarctica observing and photographing rockhopper penguins.   Antarctica's climate is challenging at the best of times and Bishop had to contend with severe wind and freezing temperatures. He also notes that he photographed several families for this story. 

Simple text tells the story of a rockhopper family's day as a hungry baby's demand for food sends mama rockhopper out to sea in search of krill and leaving papa home to tend to baby. Dangers abound on land and sea for all the rockhoppers. Crisp, close-up photos depict these small penguins known for their distinctive eyebrows in a variety of interactions. Many will evoke, "Aw!" Some evoke tension, as in the photo of papa defending against a vicious skua. One may provoke a chorus of "Ew!" during read aloud, as mama regurgitates her catch.

An author note follows with more information, but there are no suggestions for further reading in books or on websites. Bishop does invite readers to visit his own website for more information on rockhoppers but I did not find any mention of this new book on the author/ photographer's absolutely gorgeous, not-to-be-missed website. I will be checking back there intermittently. I did notice a book or two that slipped under my radar.

Penguin Day makes for a fine read aloud and a solid resource for a variety of elementary science units. First-purchase!

Non-Fiction Monday: Cecil's Pride by Craig Hatkof

Cecil's Pride: the true story of a lion king by Craig Hatkof, Juliana Hatkoff, and Isabella Hatkoff. Photographs by Brent Stapelkamp. 40 p. Scholastic Inc., April 26, 2016. 9781338034455. (Reviewed from copy borrowed from library.)

Man, I try to keep up. Really I do. I read skim most of the professional review journals. I follow several hundred blogs and 1000+ authors on social media. I attend conferences. Yet, I am still caught unawares by some gems and I usually find these at the two public libraries that I frequent - my own home town and the library across the street from my school.

I was one of the many millions of folks who mourned and followed the story of Cecil's murder last year. I fretted about Jericho and Cecil's cubs. I pondered some online postings that the world mourns a murdered animal, but asked where the outrage was over murdered black children. I read the argument that hunting tourism does more for conservation than the usual tourism. When I saw this book on display, I melted and knew before I even cracked it open that I was purchasing a copy for my library.

I am a fan of the Hatkof's work. Most of their photoessays are in my library. Their purpose in this offering is to celebrate Cecil's life. Thanks to the fact that he had been collared, tracked and studied by lion researcher, Brent Stapelkamp and the folks at the University of Oxford Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), there is much material for a compelling biography of a unique lion.

There was so much more to Cecil than the black mane that set him apart from most lions. He and an unrelated lion, named Jericho formed an unlikely alliance and seeming friendship, as evidenced by Jericho's unusual behavior following Cecil's death. He seemed to purposely pose for photographs by tourists. His comfort around humans might have accounted for ease with which he was lured off the preserve to be "legally" hunted.

The text is simple and accessible (although pronunciation guides would've been helpful) but the photographs are the stars. Stunningly intimate photos show Cecil and his family at work and at play, including a ferocious long shot of Cecil and Jericho fighting over territory. Terrific back-matter includes facts about lions; and pages examining the global impact of Cecil's death, and information about Hwange National Park and the Oxford University Study. There are no source notes or suggestions for further reading but this is a fine purchase for any library - school, classroom or public.

Ashley Bryan's Puppets by Ashley Bryan

Ashley Bryan's Puppets: making something from everything by Ashley Bryan. Photographed by Ken Hannon. 80 p. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, July 2014. 9781442487284. (Purchased)

This book is a photo essay in poems and it's simply gorgeous.  Renowned author, illustrator, poet, and now, puppet maker, Ashley Bryan created a tribe of puppets made of objects found while walking the shores of his beloved Cranberry Isles island of Islesford.

Bryan has created more than thirty unique puppets, named them with African names and imbued them with distinct voices and personalities through poems. One of my favorites is Jojo, the storyteller. Her adorable face is fashioned out of a battered knit glove, mismatched button eyes and a marrow bone for a mouth that gives her either a perpetually surprised expression or the impression that she's always talking. Apt.

The book is a feast for the eyes, brimming with joy and possibility. I have already told the art teacher I have a perfect resource for her unit on found art. This book should serve as a source of inspiration. LA teachers will have much to mine here as well.

I must admit that I possess no objectivity when it comes to Mr. Bryan. I am a long-time fan of his. The Cat's Purr is one of my all-time favorites and sadly, no longer available in hard cover. If you ever get the chance to hear this humble, joyous and vibrant man speak, do please. 

Non-Fiction Monday: Cowboy Up! Ride the Navajo Rodeo by Nancy Bo Flood

I am pleased to be hosting Non-fiction Monday this Memorial Day. Please leave your links in the comments below and I will add them through the day. My offering is:

Photography by Jan Sonnenmair. 40 p. Wordsong/ Boyds Mills Press, March, 2013. 9781590787936. (Review copy provided by publisher for PLNNJ) (Cross-posted at bookeval.blogspot.com)

The rodeo is brought to life in this lovely homage in poetry, expository narrative and photos from sundown the day before a competition to sundown on the day of the competition. The design is pleasing, from the collage of rodeo participants and would-be participants on the end- pages, through the dramatic opening poem featuring the reflections of a nervous competitor juxtaposed with a dramatic photograph of a cowboy practicing throwing his rope at sundown. Each page invites young readers to experience the excitement of the rodeo as a sport and the commitment to it as a way of life.

The rodeo may be foreign to my students, living as we do in northern New Jersey. They may have seen one on television but might not be aware of how integral it is in the Navajo community. I admit that I was not. I liked how the author compares a young Navajo's dreams of competing in big-time rodeo competitions to suburban kids dreams of Major League Baseball. 

Readers may be surprised to learn that children as young as three compete in rodeos. I know I was. Those pint-sized cowboys were too adorable. It's also a family affair. One of my favorite poems was, That's My Grandpa, which was a dialogue between a granddaughter and her grandpa, who was a world champion bronco rider and is now a rodeo announcer.  Many of the events from wooly riders to team roping are covered. So it the Midway, where the food looks amazing. The day ends with a poem in which a father comforts his son about losing, explaining that, "Losing is part of rodeo/ Falling is how you learn..."

The narrative portions explain the workings from setting up the arena to heading home, with a page at the end which sums up some rodeo history and hopefully whets the reader's appetite for more. If they turn the page, the author provides books and websites for further exploration.

Not only does this volume fill the need to share diverse cultures in school and public libraries, but it can be used as a mentor text in the classroom. ETA: look here, it's already done for you! 

Author's website and guest post.

Other reviews:
Fuse#8
The Pirate Tree

Booktalking#kidlit's Anastasia is in first with Dolphins in the Navy, part of America's Animal Soldiers series.


Ami, of A Mom's Spare Time was surprised by a biography of

Jennifer Lawrence. 








Jeanne is featuring Fifty Cents and a Dream: Young Booker T. Washington by Jabari Asim at True Tales & a Cherry on Top. 

Myra shared some books about art that she bought in India as well as several other memes over at Gathering Books.

Pop over to Jean Little Little Library where Jennifer comments on two books in ABDO's Garden to Table series.

The country of India figures in this post submitted by Tammy

from Apples with Many Seeds.

Liz at Kid Lit About Politics reviewed a new book by one of my favorite non-fiction writers, Kathleen Krull, What Was the Boston Tea Party?

Over at Stacking Books, Rashema posted a review of Barack

Obama's Of Thee I Sing: A letter to my daughters.

Karen of Ms. Yingling Reads features a fun looking cookbook 

called, Kids in the Kitchen by Sandy 

Jordan.

Mary Ann of Great Kids Books is collaborating with 100 Scope Notes, The Nonfiction Detectives and Kid Lit Frenzy to highlight books and their Common Core Connections. Click here to read about their vision and here and here to find out how books about frogs connect to the Common Core.

Who's next?