Animalogy, Animal Analogies by Marianne Berkes & Illustrated by Cathy Morrison

Hardcover $16.95
ISBN: 9781607181279

Animalogy, Animal Analogies is an enchanting little book that uses analogies to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between a variety of animals, each in its own ecosystem.  It teaches the literary form of analogies while encouraging simple analytical skills. 

The illustrator has done a masterful job in representing each of the animals in its own ecosystem and fulfilling its own niche.  The illustrations are whimsical and enchanting.

Included after the story is a section entitled, “For Creative Minds”.  It has several different kinds of matching games and activities.  These games enlarge upon analogies already learned in the story.  The reader is aided in drawing his or her own analogies.  Another comparative game that is included compares the different animal sizes.  One game helps the reader determine the best descriptive verbs to describe ten different animal movements and descriptive adjectives to describe animal coverings.  Finally, the author includes a website with a video including the book’s illustrations with the actual sounds that each animal makes.

I enjoyed the book immensely, and I think it would be a wonderful addition to any early elementary classroom or as an addition to a home collection to be read again and again! (Reviewed S. Fincannon)

Author/Illustrator Info: Award-winning author Marianne Berkes (pronounced Ber-kess with two syllables) is a retired teacher and librarian who turned her love of nature and teaching into writing informational picture books. In addition to The Tree That Bear Climbed and Animalogy for Sylvan Dell, some of Marianne’s other recent and award-winning titles include: Going Home, The Mystery of Animal Migration; Over in the Ocean, in a Coral Reef; Over in the Jungle, a Rainforest Rhyme; Going Around the Sun, Some Planetary Fun, and Marsh Morning. Visit her website at www.MarianneBerkes.com. 

Cathy Morrison may have started her art career in animation but she soon fell in love illustrating children’s books and has been doing so for 20 years. Cathy has illustrated Nature Recycles: How About You?, Three Little Beavers, and Animalogy: Animal Analogies for Sylvan Dell as well as Ignacio’s Chair, and the Young Patriots Series including Alexander Hamilton, Young Statesman;Frederick Douglass, Young Defender of Human Rights; and Juliette Low, Girl Scout Founder. Cathy works from her home in a studio loft overlooking a beautiful view of the Mummy Range, on the northern side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Check out Cathy’s blog at www.cathymorrison.blogspot.com.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Animalogy was provided by Sylvan Dell to facilitate our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.