Frogs for Kids: The Amazing and Wonderful World of Frogs Book (Reptiles and Amphibians)

Written by Betty Olsen

Did you realize that there are many species of frogs and that each of them has unique characteristics? In this kindle book, children and adults will have the opportunity to learn about every aspect of their lives. Olsen defines the word amphibian and traces the life cycle of the frog, the food they eat, their anatomy and skin characteristics, how they use camouflage, how they move and communicate, where they live, and how they can be dangerous to humans. Each description is accompanied by a photograph of that frog.

Most people know that frogs develop from eggs laid in the water and later develop lungs and breathe air on land. Are you aware that the age of a frog can be determined by the rings in its bones, and that some frogs live as long as forty years? I learned that not all frogs croak but some chirp, ribbit, whistle, bark or grunt. Their calls have been heard as far as a mile away from their location. The Golden Poison Frog can kill as many as twenty humans or one thousand mice! Olsen mentions toads, but does not go into detail about how they are different from frogs. She also reminds us that we need to keep our waterways clean so that frogs will have a place to lay eggs and prosper.

This book is an ideal beginning tool for a child who is interested in frogs or wants to learn basic information for a science project. As such, it is a good resource for elementary school science bookshelves or libraries. I thought the book failed to elaborate on the topics of environment and toads, but perhaps the author plans to expand these subjects at a later date. Overall, the book is well done and the photographs enhance the details. I would recommend reading it on the cloud or in PDF format.

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Incredible Animal Moms: Exploring Our Incredible World Series

Written by Mark Smith

This fifty six page book is another book in the exploring our world series. This volume focuses on the unique relationship between animal moms and their young. Smith has selected twenty animals; some are common but many are unique. He gives the reader just enough information to create a comprehensive portrait of the mother-child relationship and its uniqueness in the animal world. Each of them is accompanied by a photograph to illustrate the synopsis. The reader will be encouraged to pick out favorites and research other aspects of that animal’s life. Children aged eight and up might read the book independently. Younger children will enjoy an adult reading it aloud in several parts. Anyone who reads the book will learn something new; I know that I acquired a lot of new information. Did you know that a newborn elephant weights 250 pounds and that a mother elephant is pregnant for 22 months? All the female members of the herd live as one family and protect it.

Some animal moms and babies are remarkably similar to humans. They even look and act like us. These animals are extremely smart; they make their own tools which they use to find food. Some have even mastered how to use sign language to communicate with humans. The orangutan mom spends six or seven years teaching her babies survival skills. She teaches them how to make a new bed of leaves each night. Unfortunately, orangutans are disappearing because humans have cut down the trees they need for their habitat. The cow mother also is similar to a human mother. She will have a bond with her calf for life and socializes with her young throughout her life. The mother will travel for miles to find a calf that strays from the herd.

There are some animals that are very different from humans. You probably know that an octopus mom has eight arms, but did you know that each of them has a suction cup to move and catch food.? They are able to camouflage themselves and completely disappear. They also have a bird’s beak which they use to eat their food. An octopus mom has only one chance to have babies. She will lay as many as 200,000 eggs! For one month until they hatch, she stands guard for predators and does not eat. Some of these moms get so hungry that they eat their own arm rather than allow the eggs to go unguarded! Seahorse moms do not do any of the work in having babies. She chooses one mate, and lays all of her eggs in the dad’s pouch. He carries them until they hatch. He has a special hormone in his body to protect the eggs and give the eggs everything they require.

Some animals are beautiful and dangerous at the same time. The Strawberry Poison Frogs are brightly colored. They can be red, blue, green or spotted. They get their poison from the things they eat. These frogs are only about one inch long, but their bright color is a warning not to eat them. The mother lays about five eggs. When they hatch into tadpoles, she carries one at a time up a tree that may be 100 feet high and places it into a small pool she has made in its leaves. She feeds each one of her own eggs until they are fully grown. Pretty incredible for such a small creature!

I have only talked about a few of these incredible moms. Read this well written and illustrated non fiction book to find out much more extraordinary information about our animal world.

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The Colourblind Chameleon

Written by Laura Kantor and Sarah May

This book exposes the plight of a colourblind chameleon who lives in the Amazon forest. As he journeys through forests, valleys, and waterways, this poor creature is unable to camouflage himself in the environment like his fellow chameleons. While his friends simply change to green when hiding in the forest or blue when it rains, he explodes into colors like purple or even worse, might accidentally transform into polka dots and stripes. Not only is he different, but he cannot control himself because he is unable to realize what color is being projected. What a dilemma for a creature whose strength is to be able to blend in; all this chameleon is able to do is stand out!

Will this little chameleon be condemned to be an outcast? Not a chance. One day he comes across a suitcase whose contents have been strewn all over the landscape. He does indeed find clothes and accessories that he can use to transform himself. When some of his chameleon friends drop by to visit, they get an unexpected surprise as well.

The illustrations in this short book are very colourful just like our friend, the colourblind chameleon. They are drawn in a non-traditional format as the book does not follow the same pattern page by page. In fact, many of the pages look very similar to a comic book or children’s graphic novel. This should not pose a problem for children who are independent readers, but might be difficult for a younger child to follow. Still the text is not difficult and most children age six and up will be able to master it. Children will grasp the lesson that being different or having a disability might appear to be a difficult challenge, but that persistence and good will toward others will enable one to succeed. Take a peek at our colourblind chameleon friend’s short story. You and your child will not be disappointed.

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About the Book

Title: The Colourblind Chameleon

Author: Laura Kantor

Illustrator: Sarah Ray

Publication Date: November 19, 2013

Publisher: Independent – Squidgy Face Books

Number of pages: 32

Recommended age: 2 to 7

Summary

Once there was a very special chameleon…

The Colourblind Chameleon is the debut title from up and coming author/illustrator duo Laura Kantor and Sarah Ray.

This is a colourful and imaginative tale of a chameleon who doesn’t fit in with the rest. He realises that it’s not just good to be different… it’s a lot more fun!

Delight in the rhyming verses, vibrant colours and hilarious drawings as you are taken on a wonderful journey with a special little chameleon (wearing fabulous pants).

The Early Buzz

“This is a lovely book for children ….. Fun and bright, educational and with an underlying message……. It great that it teaches children about a chameleon changing colour and it also teaches children that it’s OK to be different ! I love it ! The illustrations are fabulous too…… Funny and colourful.” ~ 5 Star Review, diamondlil, Amazon

“An excellent debut. Engaging story with captivating illustrations. Good to see a childrens story with a real positive message.” ~ 5 Star Review, Lucy, Goodreads

Purchase

Amazon | Google Play | Barnes and Noble | iTunes

About the Author: Laura Kantor

Laura Kantor

Laura Kantor up in Coventry, England, but has spent the last few years living overseas in Canada, Australia and now Singapore. In her free time she loves to travel, bake and write (of course). With a job in marketing, project management and a love for writing lists, Laura decided to self publish her own stories, and set up Squidgy Face Books in 2013 (www.squidgyfacebooks.com), teaming up with Sarah Ray who was the perfect illustrator to bring her stories to life. A year of very late nights and extremely long weekends later and their first release, The Colourblind Chameleon is ready to bring some colour and fun to squidgy faces around the world.

About the Illustrator: Sarah Ray

Sarah Ray

Sarah Ray, the illustrator of The Colourblind Chameleon grew up in the Herefordshire countryside where she gathered lots of inspiration for her drawings. Animals feature frequently in her work and she enjoys giving them human attributes.

This is Sarah’s first children’s book, after working with a variety of clients on commissioned illustration. She also has her own range of award winning greeting’s cards which she sells across the UK, http:// www.sarahray.co.uk

Website | Facebook | Pinterest | Google+ | Twitter (Author) | Twitter (Illustrator)

* $50 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest runs: December 12, 2013 to January 10, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Laura Kantor and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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* I was given this book free-of-charge by the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own. The author contacted us to participate in our Book Promotion Program where we will tweet and share information about this book, the author, and the giveaway.*