Daytime Nighttime, All Through the Year

August 1, 2017

K-Gr 2-Following the daytime and nighttime activities of a variety of animals through the calendar year, this work explores a number of concepts for young learners. Each spread shows the possible happenings in the life of an animal during the day and of different creature at night. In January, eagles are paired with wolves, while the warmer month of June finds bees and bats hunting for food. Dark-tone watercolor illustrations are accompanied by simple rhymes that border on doggerel but will engage early readers. Food gathering, winter color change, and egg laying are among the activities shown. In an "Explore More" section, a match game is offered to reinforce the information previously presented. Additional details are provided about each animal as well as suggestions for "Teachable Moment" activities, which may be used by educators or parents. Some of the projects suggested are looking for slugs and snails after dark, and identifying the different seasons in the illustrations. VERDICT As an easy introduction to a variety of nocturnal and diurnal animals, this book will appeal to budding naturalists. A good choice for large nonfiction collections.-Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY

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