World’s Wackiest Animals (Lonely Planet Kids) — Review & Giveaway

Thought for the Day:

“Sit down and put down everything that comes into your head and then you’re a writer. But an author is one who can judge his own stuff’s worth, without pity, and destroy most of it.”
~ Colette ~

Gifts for My Writer Friends:

Getting ready to submit? HERE is an excellent article from Writers’ Digest — What to Know Before You Submit: 28 Tips from Literary Agents.

It’s important to keep your readers turning pages, and good chapter endings is one way. HERE is a terrific post from Louise Harnby with 7 ways to write chapter endings that hold readers in suspense.

Writer’s block happens. Boy, howdy, it sure happens at my house! Writer’s Digest has an article HERE with 9 Weird Ways to Beat Writer’s Block.

2020 marches slowly on with worsening Covid numbers every day. I have pulled my head back into my shell and intend to stay hidden away until this gets truly better. I sure wish Andrew Cuomo were in charge in Washington. He has done such a great job in New York. But we have what we have, so we each need to take care of ourselves. Do please stay vigilant and stay well. I’ll bet most of you can guess what movie this week’s meme is based on! It is one of my favorites.

In other news and on the happier side of things, my daughter Maggie is going to be involved in an online Hootenanny. It’s free and it’s fun. If you’d like to sign up and watch online just click HERE. You even have two choices of dates/times. It is being made available by a theatre company in Pennsylvania, and all the musician/actors are Equity, so you know it will be good. And you can see my daughter play guitar, stand-up bass, accordion, and sing.

I have enjoyed the many non-fiction books that have come out since the advent of Common Core. It’s probably the greatest gift the program has given us. All kids like animals, and the kid in me does too, so when I saw World’s Wackiest Animals put out by Lonely Planet Kids (I always love their books!) was available from the Manhattan Book Review, I grabbed it. And if that cover doesn’t suck you right in, I don’t know what will. Check out those eyes. Here is the review I wrote for them.

There is not much in the world that interests kids more than animals, but this book takes it one step further and tells readers about 100 weird and wacky animals from around the world.

Each spread in this compact book (7 x 7 inches and nearly an inch thick) features a short description — two to four sentences — on the left and a close-up full-color photograph on the right. These animals are very interesting, and some are so strange looking that it will leave readers breathless.

Take the Meishan Pig, for example. If you can imagine a cross between a Shar-Pei and a pig, you will be imagining something like this animal. It looks like it has way too much skin for its face, and it’s covered in loose wrinkles. Also, the Glaucus Atlanticus, also known as the Blue Dragon, is a most amazing and unusual sea slug that looks like it’s all dressed up.

The included animals are arranged by continent or designated as ocean animals. Some act in unusual ways, while some just look strange. All are fascinating. The writing is fun and accessible for kids, but adults will also enjoy this book. Perfect for a car trip or bedside table.

I have a gently-read copy for one of you. All you need do is be a follower or subscriber (it’s free!), have a U.S. address, and leave a comment below. If you would like extra chances, please share the link to this post on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media outlet and let me know you have done that. And don’t forget to check for other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at the Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE.