The Slithery Shakedown - (Nocturnals) by Tracey Hecht (Hardcover)

About the Book

Bismark the sugar glider and his friends, Tobin the pangolin and Dawn the red fox, stand together to scare off a snake who would like to make Bismark its lunch snack.

Book Synopsis

"Beginning readers will enjoy this tale" --School Library Journal

This adventure-filled Level 2 Nocturnals Early Reader grows confidence in reading with engaging illustrations, short sentences, and fun alliteration!

Bismark the wacky sugar glider comes across a bully--a scary snake!
His friends, Dawn the serious fox and Tobin the sweet pangolin, show him how to be brave and stand up to the snake. To show their courage, the animals find shiny snakeskin capes and become the Nocturnals trio. Bonus Content includes Nocturnals Animal Glossary with Fun Facts!

PERFECT FOR EARLY READERS AGES 6-8 (Grades 1-2)

Teachers and Librarians: add to your Transitional Book Collection!

Level 2 books feature longer text, problem solving and sight words

Teaches Life Skills: Bravery, Bullying Prevention, and Teamwork

The 8-book Nocturnals Grow & Read Early Reader Collection encourages kids at all reading levels who like adventurous stories featuring unusual nocturnal animals.

Review Quotes

"[The Slithery Shakedown] does not disappoint... This tale uses plenty of important vocabulary words, easily decipherable within context, while showing how friends who stick together can facedown even the meanest bully... Vivid illustrations pop off crisp white pages... This successful endeavor manages to maintain the spirit of the original series while showing respect for new devotees." -- "Booklist"

"A pangolin, a red fox, and a sugar glider are together again in their second nighttime adventure in the series... Short sentences and much repetition throughout assist early readers as they gain a sense of accomplishment on completing this six-chapter book... The vocabulary words likely to be new to readers are introduced, including squatted, haunches, shimmery, slithered, and summoned... Beginning readers will enjoy this tale and will cheer on the threesome who defeat a bully by using their words." -- "School Library Journal"

"Hecht successfully set the stage for more adventurous outings down the road..."-- "Publishers Weekly"

"The series addresses bullying and empathy in an easy, accessible way, and the books are meant to be read aloud."-- "New York Post"

"Very highly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections."-- "Midwest Book Review"

About the Author

Tracey Hecht is a writer and the creative director of Fabled Films Press. She created The Nocturnals, the critically acclaimed middle-grade and early reader series. The American Booksellers Association chose her first book, The Mysterious Abductions, as a Kids' Indie Next List pick, and her nonfiction book Nighttime Animals: Awesome Features & Surprising Adaptations received the Children's Book Council Teacher Favorites Award in 2023. In partnership with the New York Public Library, she created a Read Aloud Writing Program that has since been conducted in hundreds of schools, libraries, and bookstores. She attends Bank Street College, where she is studying to receive a dual master's degree in childhood general education and special education. Tracey splits her time between New York City and Oquossoc, Maine.

Josie Yee is an award winning illustrator specializing in children's books. She lives in New York City with her daughter, Ana, and their cat, Dude.