Hiders Seekers Finders Keepers - by Jessica Kulekjian (Hardcover)

About the Book

"When winter comes, animals seem to know just what to do. From frogs to deer to dragonflies, whether they're hiding, seeking or simply staying put, many animals have found ingenious ways to survive the cold. In this poetic exploration of just how they do that, expressive text and non-fiction sidebars seamlessly combine to carry young readers through late fall to early spring. Readers learn about all the different kinds of hibernation, how animals migrate to warmer places, and which animals stay behind in the snow. Non-fiction sidebars inform about animal adaptations, like how box turtles can slow down their heartbeats and ladybugs pack themselves together in large colonies to keep warm. Detailed illustrations show each animal's special tricks and skills, with stunning close-ups of migrating monarch butterflies, playful foxes, and more. Readers can follow the slow fade of winter into spring via the artwork, making for a secondary visual storyline to follow the evocative text."--

Book Synopsis

A poetic and informative exploration of the many ways animals face the challenges of winter.

When the autumn days grow shorter and the temperatures cool, animals prepare for winter. Some, the hiders, choose a place to rest and wait out the winter, hibernating under the ground or snuggling in a sheltered spot. Other creatures are seekers, migrating to new locations where the weather is milder and the food sources more plentiful. And then there are the finders, who keep warm and fed by adapting to the new conditions. Every animal knows just what to do -- following an ingenious plan that's just right for them!

Jessica Kulekjian's lyrical informational picture book uses expressive text supplemented with sidebars to explain how different animals survive winter. While the compelling narrative tells the bigger story, the sidebars provide fascinating information about specific winter animal behaviors -- for example, how box turtles lower their heart rates, and monarch butterflies travel all the way to Mexico! Salini Perera's stunning illustrations show the concepts in detail and provide a visual story, featuring a father and a child, that evocatively traces the subtle changes in the landscape from late fall to early spring. Grouping the animals into three categories makes for easier comprehension of topics such as hibernation, migration and adaptation. Back matter contains a guide to tracking prints in the snow, an author's note and a list of resources. There are strong links here to primary grades' earth and life sciences curriculums. This is also a perfect read-aloud for a snowy day!

Review Quotes

... a lovely, fascinating book for nature lovers.--BookRiot

A solid look at animals in the winter and the ways they weather the weather.--Kirkus Reviews

An excellent book to use in earth and life science units ... it makes concepts of hibernation, migration, and adaptation easier for young readers to understand.--School Library Journal

... a treasure. Its unique presentation will appeal to those who are already nature lovers and may spark that magic moment when a not-yet nature lover looks up with wonder.--CM Magazine (Praise for Before We Stood Tall)

About the Author

After a childhood spent outdoors, Jessica Kulekjian studied education and creative writing in college. Now, she teaches second grade and writes stories inspired by her passion for nature, free play and learning. She is the author of several books for children, including Before We Stood Tall, an NCTE Notable Book in Poetry. Jessica lives in central California with her family.
Salini Perera is a Canadian illustrator who uses she/her pronouns. She was born in Sri Lanka and raised in Scarborough, and has been making art for as long as she can remember. Now, she gets to make art for picture books, a lifelong dream come true. Salini lives in Toronto with her husband, Michael, and their three cats, Victoria, Albert and Alice.