Owls are Good at Keeping Secrets

October 1, 2018
An alphabetical menagerie of animals--with an interpersonal twist. One by one, this picture-book version of a getting-to-know-you game introduces obscure "facts" about each included animal. Each entry presents a large-font letter of the alphabet in upper- and lowercase followed by a sentence or two. For example, "Iguanas sometimes get homesick on sleepovers," and "Jellyfish don't care if you think they look funny when they dance." Sometimes, the animals (which may as well be stand-ins for human children) even flip the traditional script, with dragons crying at happy endings, unicorns believing in themselves, or zebras wanting to be first for a change. Whether socially or in terms of self-awareness, the messages contained within each entry approximate universality. But even when O'Leary writes in absolutes, Grant's illustrations sometimes include an animal or two who stray from the pack--a subtle celebration of diversity. The light sprinkle of visual and verbal humor keeps the book's truisms from feeling stale. Readers may not connect with every animal, but they'll likely see pieces of themselves (or people they know) here and there. The book's dark cover gives it a nighttime feel, but Grant's muted, stylized interior illustrations are surrounded by white space. Endpapers list the whole alphabet alongside hidden miniatures of each letter's animal, inviting readers to make predictions before reading. Don't let the owls keep this unusual book secret. It deserves to be shared. (Picture book. 3-6)

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November 1, 2018

PreS-K-A wide array of animals in unlikely yet interesting situations. "A" is for Alligators, who, ."..think you'd like them if you got to know them," and "Z" for Zebras ."..would like to be first. Just once." It is true that lions do like a nice nap, but the majority of scenarios range from silly to outright absurd in terms of animal behavior. On the other hand, they refer to the wants and needs of little ones. Just like bears, children ."..want their mothers to kiss it better; " like chipmunks, they ."..love to stay up past bedtime." Some are downright amusing: "Jellyfish don't care if you think they look funny when they dance." Grant's illustrations, all in soft, subtle shades of pink, olive green, and browns, are as endearingly gentle as a lullaby. It is also useful that uppercase and lowercase letters are presented together. The colors of the images are somewhat subtle, but this does not detract from the overall appeal to many young children learning their ABCs while being introduced to some new and commonplace animals. VERDICT A strong choice that could potentially be used to inspire children to create their own animal alphabet books, whether factual, silly, or both, particularly after a group storytime.-Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from December 1, 2018
Preschool-K *Starred Review* The end pages hint at the nature of this alphabet book, which, in its subtitle, is rightly referred to as unusual. Animals, who are hiding behind each letter of the alphabet, are revealed as we explore the book. They, the key characters and true focus of the journey, have attributes that most children will recognize: Alligators, who make an appearance for the letter A, think you'd like them if you got to know them, while zebras, who bring up the rear with Z, really would like to be first just once. Most children giggle at their own jokes the way Y's yaks do, and like W's wolves, many prefer not to be told to smile. While most of the animals, like giraffes and foxes, will be children's favorites, others (iguanas, jellyfish, meerkats) might be a bit new to them. Grant's illustrations focus on the featured animal and its antics, with no other distracting background?�we see a curious hedgehog looking through a telescope, or an X-ray fish looking cool. The end pages have full disclosure, with each animal standing by its letter and an added opportunity for conversation or a memory game. Pair with Z Is for Moose (2012), by Kelly Bingham and Paul O. Zelinsky, for another fun alphabet romp.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)