Speaking of Animal Books... POINTLESS?

As I planned for this super-series of reviews about nonfiction picture books from among more than a hundred CYBILS AWARDS nominees, I scheduled a different title  for today. So much for plans. 

Let me explain.

When a nominated book is not available from local sources, publishers are asked to send a copy to each of the "Round One Panelists" to allow for thorough consideration before the evaluations end. I had just saved and scheduled the review for today when a delivery truck dropped off a package containing a nominated book. That's not unusual, and I expected to check it out to see if I would provide a review, or not. 

Let's just say this book decided for me.

Happy Yak/Quarto Publishing, 2021

TA-DA!  THE WORLD'S MOST WONDERFUL POINTLESS ANIMALS, is the irresistible creation of Philip Bunting. This is not his first dive i nto the alchemy of humor and animals in picture books. Click his name to see other samples of his work.

This is also not the first "cheeky" approach to picture books I've read, and they are often loads of fun and definitely kid-magnets. The shocking idea of having text crossed out, with sassy/snarky remarks inserted, RIGHT THERE ON THE PAGES OF THE BOOK, is a very successful hook, regardless of the content, both fiction and nonfiction. 

In this case, the oversized, traditionally designed format  suggests some giggly kid with a marker, sprawled in the stacks of a library, adding page after page of editorial commentary to a seldom-read resource book. Well, the hook and approach pulled me into a chair immediately, compelling me to at least take an initial browse.

A full hour later I closed the back cover and began this post. There are so many ways in which this book earns its place in my heart, in classrooms for many ages, on library shelves, and as mentor text for the countless teachers/students who complete animal research projects while learning to write expository/informational text. Often, illustrating their subject information along the way.

So, step up, young and old, to learn from Bunting. Using all the traditional patterns of an encyclopedic/scientific treatment of a subject, the author has included seventy-five animals, both familiar and lesser known, organized with a table of contents, and illustrated with cartoonish images that are both humorous and informatively accurate. The standard (seemingly original) text incorporates valuable details about each species, including both common and scientific names. That last detail is consistently crossed out, replaced with a pseudo-Latin descriptive tag. Some examples: MAYFLY (Ephemeroptera) Hereus Todayus Gonus Tomorrus, and CAPUCHIN MONKEY (Cobus imitator) Peepee stinkipaws. 

Come on... Can't you just see the cluster of kids leaning in around this open book?

Throughout the pages, the illustrations manage to reinforce actual science content while providing that giggly kid with opportunities for more short phrases pointing out various qualities and species details. These include scientific content but in that handwritten style and winking humor that will make the facts unforgettable. Within the style and language of traditional expository text used in the main passages, humor and surprises are sprinkled throughout to engage readers with the full text for fear they might miss something. For example, the MYOTONIC GOAT (the ones that fall over "dead" when startled) is described thus: 

"When startled-- say by an unruly dog or a breakdancing farmer-- ...will tense up, causing the  goat to fall to the ground as if it has fainted."  One of the inserted/handwritten comments on the illustration above text is this: "Somebody should teach them about the flight or fight response."

As I said... COME ON...!  That reference to "flight or fight" will either resonate for those with background knowledge or might generate an entire side exploration for some readers.

 I could go on, but I won't. Kids will.

With the benefit of readability from cover to cover (ask me about my unintended hour in a chair) or ready access for "dip and sample" reading, this unexpected offering from a very small press is a perfect example of an undiscovered nugget of immeasurable value. I highly recommend it as a gift for anyone. Some would be particularly suited audiences ("I don't like to read"-kids, "I read everything already"-kids, "Reading is boring"-kids, "I'm too busy to read"-kids, etc.) but also for every classroom, library, and individual teachers and kids. If you give it to a kid, please ask them to share it with you. 

Animals are irresistible anyway, and books about them often generate smiles (See a previous post, HERE). This approach, though, will amplify those smiles exponentially. Seriously.