From fawns and foxes to koalas and hippos, the following books feature charming animals children love to read about.
WHERE THE WEE ONES GO: A BEDTIME WISH FOR ENDANGERED ANIMALS, by Karen Jameson and Zosienka, Chronicle Books, April 26, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 3-5)
When stars are out and the moon’s above,
where do the wee ones go, my love?
Where do the wee ones go?
Where do endangered animals go to sleep? Immerse yourself in the lush beauty of this bedtime picture book and find out. From the Pacific Ocean to China’s mountains, the Australian outback, and beyond, each baby animal has a warm, safe place to fall asleep.
With a variety of baby endangered animals and their mamas gracing each spread, readers will be transfixed by scenes that span the globe and capture each creature’s unique habitat. Snuggle close like a sweet panda, curl up like a cozy koala, and drift off like a drowsy elephant, letting the sweeping environments and soothing bedtime rituals of this gentle animal lullaby lull even the most restless little dreamers into a deep and peaceful sleep. —Synopsis provided by Chronicle Books
As climates change, so do the habitats for all animals, including those that are endangered. Children will be drawn to images of these animals at sleep. Tender words will call readers to rest their eyes and imagine themselves on animal adventures.
BIG HEDGEHOG AND LITTLE HEDGEHOG TAKE AN EVENING STROLL, by Britta Teckentrup, Prestel Junior, May 10, 2022, Hardcover, $14.95 (ages 3-7)
It is evening and the big and little hedgehog are slowly making their way home. There is so much to see, and the little one wants to take it all in. Each step of the way the big hedgehog patiently asks, “What are we waiting for now?” The little hedgehog’s answers unfold in a series of lush landscapes as the two animals wait for the sun to set, for birds to fly by, for the moon and stars to appear, and for the world around them to prepare for sleep. At last, the little hedgehog is also asleep, carried home in the big hedgehog’s arms. —Synopsis provided by Prestel Junior
If the premise of this book sounds familiar, that’s probably because it is. How many times do we hurry our little ones along when we could instead stop and take a moment to breath in our surroundings? This lovely picture book will resonate with readers young and old.
THE FRIENDSHIP SURPRISE, by Giorgio Volpe, Paolo Proietti, Red Comet Press, March 29, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 4-8)
It is spring and Little Red fox is excited to be reunited with his best friend, Hazel, a dormouse who will shortly wake from a long sleep. But over the winter, the fox has made another friend, Brock the badger.
Little Red decides revealing the new friendship is not the surprise Hazel will want to wake to, so he delays bringing it up as they resume their games. But the fox needs to find a way to introduce the friends while maintaining the special friendship with Hazel he holds so dear.
Eventually the dilemma is resolved, but not without a surprise or two along the way. This book continues the friendship story told in the companion title Before We Sleep, also by Volpe and Proietti, although it may be read and appreciated completely on its own. —Synopsis provided by Red Comet Press
The Friendship Surprise explores complexities of friendship in a gentle and caring way. This is a book you buy for the illustrations and enjoy the story as a bonus. I’d happily hang any of them as art.
BRIGHT STAR, by Yuyi Morales, Neal Porter Books, Sept. 7, 2021, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)
Yuyi Morales weaves the tale of a fawn making her way through a landscape that is dangerous, beautiful — and full of potential. A gentle voice urges her onward, to face her fears and challenge the obstacles that seek to hold her back.
“Child, you are awake!
You are alive!
You are a bright star,
Inside our hearts.”
With a voice full of calm, contemplative wisdom, readers are invited to listen and observe, to accept themselves—and to dare to shout! —Synopsis provided by Neal Porter Books
Released last fall, Bright Star has received numerous honors including, A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book and Winner of the Tomás Rivera Mexican Children’s Book Award. The praise is well earned. This gentle read features simple Spanish and English text that is understood through context. Warm tones and exquisite drawings make this a book a child will happily pick up.
Copyright © 2022 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
