Compilations of Animal, Bird, and Aquatic Animals Group Names

A Drove of Bullocks and A Filth of Starlings
by PatrickGeorge

Did you know that a group of zebra is called a “dazzle”?  Or that a group of gnus is called an “implausibility”?  Sure, you probably knew that a group of ravens was called a “storytelling,” but what about a “fever” of stingrays?  Both of these books contain interesting names of animal groups with even more interesting silhouetted interpretations.  You’ll never look at a “litter” of kittens or a “pod” of dolphins the same way ever again.

I think these books are fascinating!  With only a short paragraph of information about each animal group, the books are dominated by the artwork.  PatrickGeorge has taken liberties with the English language and had a lot of fun displaying these animal groups.  Whether it’s a hidden army of caterpillars in camouflage or an assemble-at-home kit of pigeons, kids will be entertained and educated in these two fabulous books.

Hey Diddle Diddle

Hey Diddle Diddle
by Eve Bunting and Mary Ann Fraser (illus.)

What starts out as a typical nursery rhyme quickly turns into a full-out jam session!  While the cat’s playing the fiddle, the pig is playing the piano, the mouse is playing the harp, the camel’s got the trumpet, and all the other animal friends are there to help out.

This is an adorable picture book with a cute rhyming pattern.  I’ve been looking for good books about music to read to toddlers for this summer and this has moved to the top of the list.  I can’t wait to try it out with them.

Image taken from http://www.amazon.com.

Time to Eat

Time to Eat
by Robin Page and Steve Jenkins (illus.)

Some animals in the world will eat almost anything.  Some animals eat only one thing for their whole lives.  Some animals have to eat all day long just to have enough strength.  Some animals only have to eat 5 times a year.  Learn about all different kinds of strange eating habits with Time to Eat.

This is a good beginner reading book about one of the most popular subjects for kids: animals.  Each unique animal and habit is only given about a paragraph of information.  But since this is an overview, it would be a great gateway to reading about these animals in greater detail.  And I learned some interesting things, too.  I didn’t know that an ostrich has to swallow rocks to help with its digestion, or that dung beetles live on every continent except Antarctica.  The back matter contains a bit more information on each animal featured in the book.  And Jenkins’ illustrations are fascinating.  While not entirely realistic, they aren’t really cartoonish either.  Overall a pretty neat book.

Image taken from http://www.amazon.com.

My Heart Is Like a Zoo

My Heart Is Like a Zoo
by Michael Hall

What is your heart feeling?  It is happy?  Angry?  Silly?  Thoughtful?  Frightened?  20 animals, 20 emotions, 1 overarching image – the heart.

What a phenomenal toddler picture book.  Not only does Hall use animals to help children explain what they’re feeling inside, but he constructs the animals out of little more than hearts (with guest appearances from some other basic geometric friends).  A master of the decadently simple, I can’t wait to share this book with toddlers in my story times.

Image taken from http://www.amazon.com.

A Book of Sleep

A Book of Sleep
by Il Sung Na

It’s nighttime, and everyone is sleeping.  The only one who is awake is the watchful owl.  He flies through the night watching how the other animals sleep.  Some are quiet, and some are noisy.  Some sleep alone, while others sleep huddled together.  But when day breaks, no one is sleeping!  Except for, of course, our friend the owl.

Holy beautiful book, Batman!  Il Sung Na is quite the artist.  When you look at the cover, the first thing that greets you is an owl that looks like he’s had way too much caffeine.  But each page unfolds in a soft embrace of patterns and color; it’s a beauty I’ve only been able to find in Asian art.  There’s not much text, which is a good thing.  Instead of overpowering the illustrations, they decorate it in a perfect complement.  Good for bedtimes or when you need to feel tranquil.

Image taken from http://www.amazon.com.

Twosomes: Love Poems from the Animal Kingdom

Twosomes: Love Poems from the Animal Kingdom
by Marilyn Singer and Lee Wildish (illus.)

***National Poetry Month Selection***

“Do animals celebrate Valentine’s Day?  Nobody knows for sure.  But this funny (and punny) little book imagines how some of them might declare their love, affection or friendship any day of the year.” — from the inside book cover.  I really couldn’t sum it up better than this.

A really quick and cute book, these couplet poems from the points of view of different animals are adorable.  If they came on valentines, they’re the ones I would pick out for my kids.  Two of my favorites:

Horses
Nose to nose, hip to hip
ours is a stable relationship.

Porcupines
Hugging you takes some practice.
So I’ll start out with a cactus.

Honestly, a book that can be read in less than 10 minutes.  But very cute.

Images taken from http://www.amazon.com

Alphabeasties

Alphabeasties
by Sharon Werner and Sarah Forss

I kind of have to describe and opinionate on this book all at once.  It’s one of the most mind-blowing concept books I’ve ever read.  Werner and Forss have made animals out of the first letter of the animal’s name… and it’s one of the coolest things I’ve seen.  I mean, I’m sure they’re not the first to do it, but I really like the way in which they’ve done it.  It’s also a great introduction for children who are learning to recognize their letters, because not all letters look alike, depending on the font or who writes it.  This is one book that I might consider buying, simply because it’s so much fun to look at.  It’s a unique style of art that I would be pleased to support, and I hope they do more.

Image taken from http://www.amazon.com.

A Paddling of Ducks: Animals in Groups from A to Z

A Paddling of Ducks: Animals in Groups from A to Z
by Marjorie Blain Parker and Joseph Kelly

This is no normal trip to the zoo.  From A to Z, we encounter groups of animals going about their days in their usual ways.  Well, sort of usual.  Naturally a knot of toads are going to be knitters.  And a bloat of hippos should probably work out if they’re going to work off those greasy lunches.

So I’ll freely admit I picked up this book because of the cover.  I normally don’t read alphabet books because come on… there’s no surprise or anything.  But seriously?  The happy bear hugging a laughing duck?  It’s just too cute!  The illustrations in this book are absolutely charming and totally take the spotlight in this book.  No offense to Ms. Parker, but I barely noticed the words.  The animals steal the show, and they should.  The only time where the words take the cake for me is the letter P.  It seems so fitting that a group of peacocks should be called an ostentation.

Image taken from http://www.amazon.com