An Ambush of Tigers by Betsy R. Rosenthal is a wonderfully silly book that teaches children about the names for different groups of animals. It asks silly questions that go along with the animal group name with illustrations that reinforce that name. For example, you can see the page below that features sharks. A group of sharks is called a shiver. The books asks if a shiver of sharks "turn up the heat". The illustrations show sharks bundled up in hats and scarves to further reinforce the group name shiver. The text and illustrations relate wonderfully to each individual animal groups name. In this book you will also find a sleuth of bears carrying magnifying glasses, a parcel of penguins in a package ready for the mailman, and a bed of oysters snuggled up under the blankets in bed. This is great for visual learners who need that cue to remember things. This book was listed on ALA's Notable Children's Books of 2016, as well as many other best children's books lists for 2016 and 2015. Betsy R. Rosenthal, once a lawyer, now has written multiple children's books, has seven published articles in various newspapers and magazines, and also does school visits. To learn more about Betsy R. Rosenthal, you can peruse her website. The author, Jago, does most of his colorful and textured illustrations digitally. He has won 20 different awards for his children's book illustrations between 2000 and 2016. His work is also available for purchase. If you would like to learn more about Jago, check out his website. One of the things that I like best about this book is that it contains a glossary in the back. The glossary for this book lists the other meanings for each of the collective nouns used in this book. While collective nouns do not get lot of focus in schools, this book could be used to introduce or reinforce homophones. Homophones are words that sound the same, but have different meanings. A teacher could use this book to provide several examples. It would be easy to discuss the different meanings for shiver, for example, especially with the aid of the glossary in the back of the book. With the illustrations and glossary, this book can easily be used when teaching homophones. The silly and clever text will ensure that you capture the students' attention. Overall, this is a wonderful addition to any children's library, be it a public, school, or personal one. |
The Details
Title: An Ambush of Tigers
Author: Betsy R. Rosenthal
Illustrator: Jago
Publisher: Millbrook Press
Copyright: 2015
Age Range: 2-5
Other Works by Rosenthal:
Looking for Me
Which Shoes Would You Choose?
It's Not Worth Making Tzimmies Over!
Author: Betsy R. Rosenthal
Illustrator: Jago
Publisher: Millbrook Press
Copyright: 2015
Age Range: 2-5
Other Works by Rosenthal:
Looking for Me
Which Shoes Would You Choose?
It's Not Worth Making Tzimmies Over!