Can an Aardvark Bark?

May 1, 2017
Stewart (Feathers: Not Just for Flying) highlights the sounds that animals make in this inviting primer, which is augmented by Jenkins’s torn-paper portraits. Stewart leads with internally rhyming questions about particular animals (“Can a wild boar roar? No, but it can squeal”), and the subsequent pages introduce additional animals that make similar sounds; a European hedgehog and European spotted dolphins are among other creatures that squeal. Brief captions elaborate on the animals’ methods of communication: “A male koala really makes a racket at mating time. His deep, growling bellow helps females find him.” Jenkins (Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep) renders each animal with characteristic attention to detail and subtle texture, resulting in a handsome and dynamic exploration of animal behavior. Ages 2–8.

Starred review from March 15, 2017
Barks, grunts, squeals, whines, bellows, growls, and laughs--all kinds of animals use all kinds of sounds to communicate.This collection of animal vocalizations will delight readers and listeners. Prolific science writer Stewart always chooses appealing facts, but what makes this collection work so well is the skillful presentation by both author and illustrator. There's a question: -Can an aardvark bark?- And an answer: -No, but it can grunt.- A short paragraph tells when and why it makes that sound. The next spread reveals some different grunting species and what their grunts might mean. The next two spreads introduce barks and squeals. Just when listeners or readers begin to see a pattern of question and answer, it's disrupted: -Can a porcupine whine? Why yes, it can!- The surprise adds just enough tension to keep the audience going through growls, bellows, and laughs. A final page asks listeners and readers if they can make the same noises. Jenkins' characteristic cut-and-torn-paper collages are a perfect accompaniment. These sharp-edged, accurate images, set on plain white backgrounds, show beautifully. The highlighted animals--aardvark, New Zealand fur seal, wild boar, porcupine, dingo, giraffe, and kangaroo--are shown on double-page spreads, each followed by four other, equally interesting species. The final page includes portraits, an invitation for identification. Don't share this engaging read-aloud in a quiet library. (Informational picture book. 2-8)

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May 1, 2017

K-Gr 3-Students will be surprised to learn that though an aardvark can't bark, it can grunt. Stewart opens every other spread with a query about what noise an animal might make ("Can a dingo bellow?... No, but it can growl."). After answering, the author organizes groups of creatures that make similar sounds on the following spread, often with surprising results (platypuses will softly growl when disturbed). These groupings are fascinating for their diversity, and noises covered include greetings, sounds made out of fear or to attract food, and mating calls. Jenkins's cut and torn paper illustrations provide not only texture but also an incredible amount of detail. For instance, students can almost count every quill on the African crested porcupine. Overall, the layout is smart, as animal names are in boldface and the communication style (growl, hiss, etc.) is in a larger font size, signaling its importance. VERDICT A terrific title for elementary-age kids to help them draw comparisons between animals and sounds-libraries can't go wrong.-Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2017
Preschool-G Using a question-and-answer format that employs internal rhymes, Stewart and Jenkins enlighten readers about animal utterances. Can an aardvark bark? No, but it can grunt, Stewart informs us. She follows up with a paragraph of supplementary aardvark facts and an additional spread itemizing other grunting animals. Most subsequent Q&As reference previous questions ( Can a seal squeal? No, but it can bark ), excepting the answer for porcupines, who can indeed whine. Jenkins' signature cut-and-torn-paper-collage illustrations seem to jump off the page. They are at once boldly simple (set against white backgrounds) and amazingly detailed (a result of the varied textures used). Multiple type sizes add to the book's versatility. Toddlers will enjoy the large-print Q&As, while older children will appreciate the informative paragraphs presented in smaller font. And while there's much to be gleaned about familiar and esoteric species (who knew a giraffe could bellow?), the final spread, encouraging listeners to let loose their own laughs, grunts, bellows, and growls, provides the perfect excuse for toddler participation.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)