This is a beginning reader book about things that animal parents do for their babies. It concentrates on three areas; keeping them warm, keeping them safe and teaching them to get food. The pictures are photographs of the animals engaging in the task being described. Once again, there is a limited number of words, many high frequency words as well as the necessary content words. There are suggestions of activities that a parent, caregiver or teacher can do with the child after reading the book. There are questions to ask to encourage conversation as well as suggestions for further reading and research on the topic. A great book for a primary classroom or a family library where the child is interested in animals.

Adorable and informative. I was captured from beginning to end.

This is a clever combination of a science learning opportunity: learning about the various ways that different animal parents help and protect their young; and an opportunity to practise reading skills.

I read this book with my 4 year old and she thoroughly enjoyed it. The layout and balance between pictures and text was ideally suited to maintaining her focus.
With the help of the "Connecting Concepts" section at the back of the book, I was easily able to further enhance the learning opportunities; in terms of her reading fluency, as well as her comprehension of the science concepts discussed.

The guidelines and links to additional information on the topics are very useful indeed. I was able to readily access further information on the topic and my pre-schooler loved the concept of doing further reading and finding more examples of animal families online.

Highly recommended!

Animal Mothers and Fathers, by Mary Lindeen is an adorable and informative book that features animal parents and their babies.

As a part of the Read and Discover Science series, this book encourages children to learn about scientific subjects while working on their reading skills. According to a note from the publisher: "The series can be used with beginning readers to practice high-frequency words, academic language, and to expand comprehension of life, earth, and physical science."

Throughout this book, there are interesting animal facts and Did You Know sidebars intermixed with brilliant and adorable full-color photographs. Also, there are Connecting Concepts and Word List sections.

Animal Mothers and Fathers is a delightful non-fiction book that's geared toward kindergartners to third graders. Highly recommend this enjoyable children's book.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.