Wild About Us!

by Karen Beaumont, Janet Stevens (Illustrator)

Overview

Warty Warthog may have warts and tusks, but he likes himself that way! Join him as he celebrates all of his animal friends and the attributes that make each one unique. Whether it’s Crocodile's toothy grin or Kangaroo’s huge feet or Leopard’s spottiness, each animal is different. Wouldn’t it be dull if all the animals at the zoo—and all the people in the world—looked alike? A joyful picture-book celebration of everything that makes us individuals!

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780152062941
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/07/2015
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	507,224
Product dimensions:	10.20(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	AD360L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Karen Beaumont is known for her lively and celebratory picture books, including I Like Myself! and the New York Times bestseller I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More!, both illustrated by David Catrow, as well as No Sleep for the Sheep!, illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic, and Wild About Us!, illustrated by Janet Stevens. She lives in California. www.karenbeaumont.com.

Janet Stevens is the author and illustrator of many beloved picture books, including Tops & Bottoms, a Caldecott Honor Book. With her sister and co-author, Susan Stevens Crummel, she created the acclaimed best-sellers The Great Fuzz Frenzy,Help Me, Mr. Mutt!, The Little Red Pen and more. She is also the illustrator of the Epossumondas books, written by renowned storyteller Coleen Salley. Janet Stevens lives in Colorado. Visit her online at janetstevens.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Beaumont shines in rhythmic play...Stevens [is] a master at animal portraiture...A gleeful look at self-acceptance." —Kirkus   —

From the Publisher

04/01/2015
PreS-Gr 2—A warthog narrates this bouncy rhyming text to explain the uniqueness of each zoo animal, pointing out that the creatures don't mind having features that could be considered flaws. "I have TUSKS! I have WARTS! But I like what I see! In my own special way, I'm as cute as can be." There is no real story line, just a strong message of positive self-esteem: "We are all the way we are all meant to be!" Big, bold watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations pop against white backgrounds, and a variety of fonts emphasize the special characteristics of each animal, such as the long nose of the elephant or the pink feathers of the flamingo. Some spreads require that the book be rotated 90 degrees, keeping the reading experience dynamic. At the surface level, the book is a paean to diversity and the beauty of each individual. However, logic breaks down when comparing human diversity to that of animals in the zoo. For example, a child unhappy about towering over friends won't be comforted to hear that "No one laughs at Giraffe 'cause he's LANKY and TALL. Here at the zoo, there is room for us all," since it can easily be argued that all giraffes are tall by nature. VERDICT The book might work as "quick and dirty" bibliotherapy or as a discussion starter, but examining it too closely will deflate its message.—Heidi Estrin, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

School Library Journal

2015-01-20
Various zoo animals celebrate their favorite features, warts and all.Warty Warthog proudly proclaims: "Can't be who I'm not. / I am who I am, / and I've got what I've got." He may have warts and large tusks protruding from his snout, but he likes them. Rhino loves her wrinkly skin, and Crocodile? You should see his toothy grin! Popping from animal to animal in snappy rhyming couplets (or delightfully slow ones if discussing Tortoise: "He's…not…meant…to…hurry… / or…scurry,…you…know"), Beaumont shines in rhythmic play. Stevens, a master at animal portraiture, sets every creature against a stark white backdrop and poses them peering directly at readers, almost as if to dare them to say anything disrespectful. This effectively creates an immediate connection: It's impossible to say that Potbellied Pig is too plump; her vulnerable gaze makes readers realize she has feelings too. Ultimately the animals conclude that they are glad for their differences. After all, wouldn't it be a shame if everyone at the zoo—or people, too—looked exactly alike? A gleeful look at self-acceptance (and don't forget to search for the hidden fly). (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Review