I found online reviews of Janet Halfmann’s Fur and Feathers intriguing, so I was thrilled to receive the opportunity to review it myself! I think the story of a young girl making new coverings for the animals after their fur and feathers get blown off in a storm is very creative and original. My kids agree; we’ve read this book several times since receiving it. I’m particularly fond of the fun twist at the end of the story.
Sylvan Dell has a wonderful homepage for this book, complete with an author interview and 57 pages of activities, transforming this book into a fantastic tool for learning about animal classification! We printed out and laminated the animal cards, and my kids enjoy talking about which animals live on the land and which live on the water, which have fur, which have feathers, and which have scales. They also like to match the drawn animals up to the photographs of the same animal.
As someone who loves to sew, I can’t help wishing that the new coverings Sophia creates looked more sewn and less like true animal fur and feathers, although Laurie Allen Klein’s illustrations make up for this with their warmth, color, and friendliness.
Emma’s verdict: This book is so cool!
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Thanks so much for the wonderful review of my book. Emma’s verdict made my day!! And thanks for the fantastic comments from everyone who stopped by. I’m so happy that Fur and Feathers and Sylvan Dell Publishing’s additional resources for the book are proving so enjoyable and useful. I’m also pleased to share that tomorrow evening I will be accepting a Gold Moonbeam Award for the book. Happy Reading!
.-= Janet Halfmann´s last blog ..Welcome! =-.
My comment should read. I agree. This book is great!
I agree. This is books is great!
I really like the Sylvan Dell books we’ve read. Joe loves to read their books online.
Emma’s verdict is the best:-).
.-= Susana´s last blog ..Knot So Fast =-.
PS Here was our review of it – http://infantbibliophile.blogspot.com/2010/09/science-sunday-review-fur-and-feathers.html
.-= lynn´s last blog ..Shutterfly holiday cards =-.
I’ve been really happy with every Sylvan Dell book we’ve read. I love the idea of the educational sections in the back, and I think they often have fantastic illustrators on their books.
.-= lynn´s last blog ..Shutterfly holiday cards =-.
What a great way to introduce animal classification! Sounds like a sweet story.
.-= Elisa | blissfulE´s last blog ..7 quick takes Friday – permanent residence edition =-.
Looks like a really cute book! Thanks for the review, I’ll be looking for it.
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..StArt – Ready to Dream =-.
57 pages of activities! That’s impressive. I’ve been intrigued by it too. Haven’t quite pulled the trigger on getting it yet.
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