What's Next?

by Timothy Knapman, Jane McGuinness (Illustrator)

Overview

An inquisitive baby badger is drawn to discover the world outside his den in an endearing, delightfully illustrated father-and-child story.

Baby Badger sleeps all day in his snuggly burrow. When he wakes, he explores every nook of his home and wants to know “what’s next?” So Daddy takes him to the dark forest above to roll in soft moss and snuffle in bluebell bulbs and watch the silvery moon setting, a signal that night is ending and it’s time to go home. But if daytime is “what’s next,” how can Baby Badger sleep without seeing that? So he slips out alone to see the brilliant flowers and birds and to feel the yellow sun hot on his fur. Cozy illustrations and a child-friendly text depict a curious little creature dazzled by the world’s natural wonders — and a doting father who is there to guide him back if “what’s next” turns out to take him a bit too far.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536209891
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	11/05/2019
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	11.20(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Timothy Knapman has written more than fifty books, including Dinosaurs Don’t Have Bedtimes!, Soon, Follow the Track All the Way Back, Time Now to Dream, and the popular Mungo series. He lives in Surrey, England.

Jane McGuinness is the author-illustrator of Prickly Hedgehogs!, her publishing debut. She lives in England.

Editorial Reviews

Knapman's (Superhero Mom) sweet, simple language pairs cleverly with McGuinness's (Prickly Hedgehogs!) mixed-media illustrations, directing readers to examine closely the visual setting as well as the playful animals who inhabit it...Celebrating both inquiry and a loving relationship, What's Next? would make a great addition to home and school libraries.
—Shelf Awareness for Readers (starred review)

From the Publisher

12/06/2019

Toddler-PreS—Once Baby Badger knows all the nooks and crannies of his underground burrow, he's eager to experience more. His father takes the young cub out after dark so he can learn where to find soft moss for rolling in and flower bulbs to eat. He's even shown the ideal spot to view the wonder of stars and the full moon. Then his father tells him it's time to return home because night is coming to an end. The young badger can't sleep and is curious about the daytime, so he decides to go exploring on his own. After gazing in wonder at all he discovers in daylight, he's hot and tired and realizes he doesn't know how to get back home. Luckily, his daddy is nearby. Mixed-media illustrations show the burrow and the nighttime excursion in mainly black and gray. The forest in the morning is light and pastel colored. The illustrations of the burrow are rife with details, such as a buried treasure chest, worms, and the roots of plants. Bats, owls, and moths fill the night sky, and birds, butterflies, and blossoms call the daytime forest their home. VERDICT This soothing tale is just right as a bedtime story for young and curious children.—Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek Public Library WI

School Library Journal