In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Karen B. Winnick.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

Created by Karen B. Winnick

Ages 7+ | 48 Pages

Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group | ISBN-13: 978-1626349759

Publisher’s Book Synopsis: Can You Spot the Leopard? is author/artist Karen B. Winnick’s newest picture book, an adventuresome African safari presented through poems and full-color paintings. Readers begin at sunrise, climbing into a jeep for a bumpy ride to view the wondrous animals as they would on a real safari. All the poems are based on real observations of what animals do in the wild, related in an accessible way. There’s even a sighting, finally, of the elusive leopard, before returning to safari camp under a starry night. At the back of the book, further information is related about each animal. A fun, informational, educational adventure to read and reread.

Ms. Winnick is an animal enthusiast, president of the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, and author of more than a dozen picture books, including Gemina: The Crooked-Neck Giraffe, How Lucky Got His Shoe, and Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Bookshop

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KAREN B. WINNICK is the author of more than a dozen picture books for children, most of which she illustrated. An animal lover, she serves on several boards devoted to the well-being of animals. She’s a graduate of Syracuse University, mother of three grown sons, grandmother of eight, and minder of five pups.

For more visit, karenbwinnick.com.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

A SAFARI ADVENTURE

Can You Spot the Leopard

Written and Illustrated by Karen B. Winnick

A beautiful adventure for the child with an active imagination. Winnick deftly authors the entire book in crisp rhymes that invite reading the tale over and over.

The illustrations are large and colorful, popping off the glossy pages. Young readers learn about animal habitats, food, family life, and survival. Children may have knowledge of elephants, rhinos, and giraffe but others like bushbucks, marabou, and bat-eared foxes are sure to intrigue the imagination.

Winnick presents the dangers in a non-threatening way. For adventurers who want to research, the glossary contains more information about thirty safari animals. This book is highly recommended as a reference book for a home or classroom library. It has appeal for elementary school and middle-grade readers, librarians, and teachers.

I look forward to reading more books by this talented author and illustrator.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win an awesome Dooney Press Gift Pack of books and more fun goodies!

Ten (10) winners receive:

– A signed copy of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

https://gleam.io/qAoa4/can-you-spot-the-leopard-an-african-safari-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, October 18, 2022The Children’s Book ReviewA book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

Wednesday, October 19, 2022Life Is What It’s CalledA book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

Thursday, October 20, 2022Dad SuggestsA book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

Friday, October 21, 2022Library Lady’s Kid LitAn interview with Karen B. Winnick

Monday, October 24, 2022Crafty Moms ShareA book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

Tuesday, October 25, 2022Book Zone ReviewsAn interview with Karen B. Winnick

Wednesday, October 26, 2022Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogA book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

Thursday, October 27, 2022icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

Friday, October 28, 2022The Momma SpotA book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

Monday, October 31, 2022Lisa’s ReadingA book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

Tuesday, November 1, 2022Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersA book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

Wednesday, November 2, 2022Because I Said SoA book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

Thursday, November 3, 2022Heart to HeartA book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

Friday, November 4, 2022The Fairview ReviewA book review of Can You Spot the Leopard? An African Safari

Okapi Loves His Zebra Pants (Endangered and Misunderstood Animals Book 3)

Written by Terri Tatchell

Illustrated by Ivan Sulima

What a cute, rhyming picture book for elementary school readers! Children learn about the okapi, a relative of the giraffe with striped legs. This animal is a native of the Congo.

The fictional tale relates how a monkey makes fun of Okapi’s striped legs. His friend the grey parrot comes to his defense. Still, Okapi is curious about the zebra, who is reported to wear stripes like him. Off he goes in search of the zebra. His journey is dangerous, but he finds friends among the elephants, hippos, and gorillas.

Children learn about diversity and the value of individual differences as strengths rather than weaknesses. The author teaches children how to draw these animals, why they are endangered, and what children can do to help them. Recommended especially for preschoolers to age eight.

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The Underground Toy Society Helps Ellie Elephant

Written by Jessica D. Adams

Illustrated by Janelle and Janiece Adams

Janelle and Janiece are on a trip with their parents. Janiece is having so much fun. She forgets and leaves her stuffed elephant, Ellie on the swing. Now Ellie is a very smart stuffed elephant. She knows that the family will depart soon. Ellie desperately tries to run and jump up into the camper before anyone discovers her missing. To her dismay, she is not successful.

Ellie finds a chipmunk who says he can help. Chippy directs Ellie to a mole who tells her about The Underground Toy Society that helps reunites toys with their owners. Ellie discovers it’s not so easy to find Murry the Mole. Along the way, she meets a toy train and a bunny who also try to help her. Readers learn about the kindness of all these toy characters. Ellie wants to get home before Janiece discovers her missing because she does not want Ellie to feel sad. Ellie displays much love and concern for her owner.

Readers get the underlying message that children need to take good care of their toys and develop a sense of responsibility. There are a few wonderful child drawings to personalize this beginning chapter book for early readers.

Babu and Bina at the Ghost Party (Babu and Bina Book Series 1)

Written by P Tomar

Illustrated by Giulia Iacopini

Mama and Papa Trunk are preparing to take their elephant children, Babu and Bina to the old Indian fort. The children are excited. When a candy man warns them to watch out for the ghost of the Maharaja, their interest peaks even more. As the children eagerly explore the fort, Pina, their pup, takes off. They follow her and get locked in a mysterious room where they will meet many ghosts of the fort gathered together for a celebration. Will the children find a way back to their parents?

Babu and Bina are an adorable brother and sister pair who teach their readers much about sibling cooperation and Indian history. This promises to be an interesting series on Indian culture and history. Vivid illustrations will engage even the youngest reader. The short length makes it a good choice for a bedtime story or a read- aloud. Recommended for children ages three through eight.

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Rusty and the Circus of Doubt

Written by G. Russell Reynolds

Illustrated by Sherrie Molitor

 

Rusty The Elephant lives in the circus. As a young boy, Rusty believed that he was destined for greater things. The Circus Boss berates Rusty when he doesn’t act like a “normal” elephant. All the other animals bully him. Over time, Rusty begins to lose confidence in himself. One night he cries out for help. A monkey appears and informs Rusty that he has the key to Rusty’s freedom. This monkey works step by step to encourage self-confidence and independence in Rusty. Soon Rusty no longer cares what the other animals think of him. Will Rusty ever achieve his dreams?

This International Book Excellence winner contains beautiful illustrations and a message to encourage children who experience a lack of self-confidence and fear of not fitting in with the crowd. While the book is targeted at children in the six to nine-year-old age group, I feel it is appropriate for older children as well. Well-written and highly recommended for all ages.

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Charlie the Smart Elephant: Books for Kids: Bedtime Story, Beginning Reader

Written by Jeff Harris

Short tale of less than twenty pages featuring Charlie the Elephant, an intelligent but hungry elephant who was born in a small town somewhere in Africa, but who longs to live the life of a pet in a cozy family. One day he is adopted and placed in a stray animal shelter where Charlie finds the company of other animals. He is delighted when a boy named Connor adopts him; and the family builds a separate house for the elephant. Then Charlie becomes sad because he has everything he needs and is bored. Charlie rejoices when he overhears two pet dogs talking about their cookies being missing. So Charlie decides to become a detective and solve the missing cookie mystery. Following the cookie crumbs, Charlie comes to a deep forest. Should he enter the forest and risk becoming lost? Will he solve the mystery and return to his family?

This book is charming and sweet for a bedtime story, and beginning readers will be able to handle the text, but the plot does not always flow smoothly or connect the dots. Children might have questions that go unanswered. A few simple illustrations are included. Targeted for readers ages two through fourteen, I would recommend it as a bedtime story for preschoolers or as a beginning reader for a child who enjoys stories about pets.

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National Park (National Park Trilogy Book 1)

Written by Hinesh Vithal

An interesting tale narrated by Rajah, a puggle comfortably ensconced with the Patel family in suburbia. When the family decides they will take a vacation trip to the game preserve, he is excited but remains haunted by a dream that his life will be cut short by a lion attack.

Readers will learn about life in the wild as they meet lions, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, crocodiles, buffalo, and wild dogs. As the family ride through the game preserve, readers feel as if they are a part of nature. The personified animals have a complicated system of government to which all inhabitants of the national park adhere led by a Council of the Big Five. When the vehicle in which Rajah is riding is overturned, he is injured and rescued by the animals. Rajah becomes an integral part of a habitat that is far out of his comfort zone, yet he is rapidly assimilated into their culture and conflicts. When internal discord threatens to wreck the government of the animals and their safety, Rajah becomes an unwilling hero.

This book contains one or two curse words, but is appropriate for readers twelve and older. The plot is cleverly done, if sometimes a bit wordy. Readers will take away factual knowledge of the game preserve, its inhabitants, and some messages that animals and humans might well take note of. Looking forward to see what happens in the rest of the trilogy.

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The Triumph

Written by Frank Scozzari

Powerful short story centering around a Mozambique guide named Mowambi and his white friend, Mr. Rick. They had almost reached the top of the rise in their plan to escape the white safari hunters, but now Rick is dead and Mowambi has been shot.

Beautifully written tale expressed in Mowambi’s voice as he explains their passion for stopping the killing of elephants for their ivory. They had almost succeeded; now the end is near. Yet Mowambi comes up with a scheme to thwart the hunters’ objectives.

This short story is appropriate for readers age ten and older. Less than twenty pages, but packed with emotion. Many a reader will shed a tear as the author makes his readers one with the characters and with nature. Certainly deserving of its nomination for the Pushcart Prize.

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