And the reading challenge continues! As stated in a previous post, my librarian friend Ashley Lambacher of the Book Talker and I are hosting the Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge. Our goal is to read all the past winners from the children’s book category in chronological order from 1982 to the present. I will read the K-2 picture book winners and Ashley will read the 4-8/3-5 chapter book winners. Today I continue my challenge by reading the winner of the K-2 Buckeye Book Award in 2014, Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds.
Carnivores is a humorous story with a good message. It starts by introducing three carnivore animals, the lion, great white shark, and timber wolf. They are all experiencing an identity crisis. Since they’re carnivores, the other animals don’t seem to like them. Upset by the social stigma formed against them, these three form a support group. Their first initiative is to go vegetarian, however this plan is doomed. To fit in, they try wearing disguises but friendships formed never seem to survive. When the wise owl attends a meeting, he convinces the animals not to feel guilty about being a meat eater. This book teaches kids to be happy with who they are, not to worry about criticism over characteristics that can’t be changed. The illustrations are classic Dan Santant; detailed and colorful, capturing each animals expressions perfectly. In my library, students ask for this book a few times a week! So, it’s no surprise it won a Buckeye Book Award in 2014.
Ashley - Do your students enjoy Carnivores as much as my students? Your upcoming 2014 book is a really good one, Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.
Would you like to join Ashley and I as we read through Ohio’s award winning books? We welcome any and all who are interested in participating in this fun reading challenge. For more information, click here.
Aaron Reynolds and Dan Santat -- two people with whom you can't go wrong! I've been a fan of Dan Santat since he illustrated Dog in Charge, and my first experience with Aaron Reynolds was Creepy Carrots (which is now forever a classic). What I love about Carnivores is it is like a lot of kids movies put out nowadays -- it's aimed at young kids, but there is plenty of humor that older kids (and adults) will get a kick out of (and the younger kids may not get right away). There's just something about Dan's art style that is so kid friendly and appealing, and Aaron's humor never fails. Not surprised at all that this book won!
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