Armadillo Antics - by Bill Martin & Michael Sampson (Hardcover)

About the Book

Join the Armadillo on His Nightly Romp!

Children will love the rhythm and rhyme that are hallmarks of the beloved author duo of Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 as they follow the adventurous armadillo through nighttime fun as dawn approaches.

Book Synopsis

2022 Gold Medal Recipient of the Moonbeam Award for Best Picture Book in the 4-8-Year-Old Category
A 2023 CBC Librarian Favorites Winner
2023 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award, Finalist
2023 Eric Hoffer Book Award, Honorable Mention
2023 Reading the West Book Award, Shortlist

"Armadillo Antics pays tribute to the night creatures that roamed the woods outside [Martin's and Sampson's] houses in Commerce, Texas. It's this nocturnal aspect that the talented Argentine collagist Beauvois captures so beautifully."--The New York Times

Join the Armadillo on His Nightly Romp!
Children will love the rhythm and rhyme that are hallmarks of the beloved author duo of Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 as they follow the adventurous armadillo through nighttime fun as dawn approaches.

Bill Martin Jr was the beloved author of more than three hundred books for children and teachers, including the classics Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

Michael Sampson taught kindergarten through fourth grade before meeting fellow literacy expert Bill Martin Jr at a conference in Tucson, Arizona in 1978. They established a lifelong friendship and collaborated on many bestselling and award-winning books for children, including Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 and Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?

Review Quotes

"Armadillo Antics provides fascinating information. Told in verse, the story starts as the full moon rises and most creatures head off to sleep. The armadillo, however, is freshly awake and ready to frolic all night long." --Arizona Republic


"Armadillo Antics is a fun introduction for beginning readers to an animal that is often derided as being a bit out of step with the modern world. The simple poetic text uses rhyme to describe many interesting facts about the armadillo, and Nathalie Beauvois's expressive collage illustrations add humor and beauty to a fitting tribute to a species that is deserving of much more respect than it often receives. Picture books that encourage young readers' affection toward the natural world and its creatures are invaluable, and Armadillo Antics is a nice addition to this genre. The eight armadillo facts at the end of the book are comically illustrated, and encourage exploration into more detailed study."--Janell Cannon, Award-Winning, New York Times Bestselling Author of Stellaluna


"Armadillo Antics is a wonderful rhythmic dance of color, collage and energy. Rich with vibrant color and texture, this book radiates joy as the armadillo blazes through its adventurous night only to land safely at his underground home where it can rest and dream." --Bryan Collier, Caldecott Medalist and Coretta Scott King Award-Winning Illustrator


"Armadillo Antics pays tribute to the night creatures that roamed the woods outside [Martin's and Sampson's] houses in Commerce, Texas. It's this nocturnal aspect that the talented Argentine collagist Beauvois captures so beautifully. While highly influenced by the painted, cut-paper style of Eric Carle, Beauvois's brush strokes are more rough-hewn, her textures more raised, her backgrounds darker. And sometimes - yes, it's true - she intentionally strays outside the lines." --The New York Times


"Armadillo Antics takes us through a night in the life of the armadillo, with wonderful lyrical rhyming text and gorgeous textured colorful collage art. This mysterious creature comes to life as an absolute symphony of words, and images dance across the pages. Magnificent!" --Laura Vaccaro Seeger, Caldecott-Winning, New York Times Bestselling Author and Illustrator


"A wonderfully musical nighttime romp with stunning illustrations." --Matt de la Peña, Newbery Medal-Winning, New York Times Bestselling Author


"Beauvois, whose elaborately textured, highly dimensional surfaces recognize the paper collage legacy of Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert, creates a series of striking contrasts to the repeating text's simple rhymes. As the mammals appear, ready to 'romp and play till the night is done, ' they're shown in deep jewel tones with patterning reminiscent of a Missoni sweater... tagging along with this self-possessed, graphically stylish critter and chanting its name as it leaps, digs, and dines makes for a memorable outing."--Publishers Weekly, starred review


"Bright, collage-like illustrations add whimsy to this rhyming picture book about a night in the life of an armadillo." --Foreword Reviews


"Cheerful encouragement for a curious nocturnal creature... this colorful book will make for a vibrant nature-focused storytime." --Kirkus Reviews


"For a romping night in the life of a roly-poly armadillo, pick up Armadillo Antics!" --Parade Magazine


"I just love the simple rhymes of Bill Martin Jr and Michael Sampson. To convey a maximum of emotion with a minimum of words-that's the art of writing!" --Marcus Pfister, Award-Winning and Internationally Bestselling Author of The Rainbow Fish

"Mixed-media illustrations, which offer both texture and movement, are reminiscent of those created by Lois Ehlert and Eric Carle. Watercolors, collage, and digital work combine to produce bright, captivating graphic illustrations... Delightful, informative, and visually arresting." --Booklist


"This short rhyming story about a night in the life of an armadillo is cozy and soothing. Beauvois's collage-style art, especially the armadillo curled up inside its next, gives Eric Carle vibes. A collection of eight facts on the final page will fascinate kids and grown-ups alike." --Parents Magazine


"What a delight to read the enchanting rhythms and rhymes of Bill Martin Jr and Michael Sampson! The words dance and sing on the page surrounded by beautiful illustrations!" --Eric Litwin, #1 New York Times Bestselling, Award-Winning Author of Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes