Rock? Plant? Animal? - by Etta Kaner (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Pretty Tricky meets Do Frogs Drink Hot Chocolate in this guessing-game book that explores how in nature, things aren't always what they seem ... ... sometimes what looks like a plant is actually a rock or what looks like a rock is actually an animal or what looks like an animal is actually a plant. In ROCK? PLANT? ANIMAL?, young readers are invited to guess what they are looking at as they are introduced to animals that don't look like animals, plants that don't look like plants, and rocks that don't look like rocks! The recto of each spread has a large spot illustration of either a rock, plant, or animal, prompting the reader to make their best guess. There will be surprises but the idea is not to trick readers - anyone who knows children knows that sometimes they want to be right! - so much as invite them to really consider what they are looking at, using what they know already, as well as what they have learned from the basic definitions of a rock, plant, or animal provided in the book's intro. And Brittany's inviting, beautifully realistic illustrations are up for the scrutiny! A page turn reveals the answer by showing the featured plant/rock/animal situated within a detailed scene, as well as a brief description of the rock/ plant/animal, including why it looks the way it does. Fourteen "species" are presented. Includes a glossary."--

Book Synopsis

An interactive guessing game featuring nature's most unusual adaptations and characteristics

Can you tell the difference between a rock, a plant, and an animal? While it might sound simple, the vast diversity of life on earth can throw us some serious curveballs! Sometimes, what looks like a plant is actually an animal. Other times, what looks like an animal is actually a plant! Even things that look like living creatures can turn out to be unique rocks.

Young readers are encouraged to challenge their pre-existing ideas about the natural world in this engaging nonfiction book set up as a scientific guessing game, filled with lively illustrations and fun facts.

Each spread features a realistic illustration of either a puzzling critter, a perplexing plant, or a special stone. Every picture is accompanied by a simple prompt: rock, plant, or animal? The answer is revealed by turning the page to discover a beautifully detailed scene and a brief description of the "species." Even for the most esteemed naturalists, the answers are hard to believe! Rock? Plant? Animal? lets its readers be detectives, encouraging curiosity and embracing surprise.

Review Quotes

"An enjoyable nature puzzle with welcome substance."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"An entertaining door into the mysteries of nature ... Encourages attention to detail."

-- "Children's Literature Comprehensive Database"

"Readers who like quirky guessing games or weird nature facts will get a kick out of this interactive book."

-- "Booklist"

"This book would be a wonderful addition to a unit on mimicry and adaptation ... A fun way to encourage reluctant readers, or for a partner read."

-- "Youth Services Book Review"

"This highly entertaining, interactive nonfiction picture book invites nature detectives to put on their thinking caps and prepare to be amazed."

-- "Canadian Review of Materials"