It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday, my favorite day of the week! This week, I picked a book I have been studying closely for voice and structure. I’m revising a tongue-in-cheek nonfiction manuscript, and Heos’s work provides inspiration, especially when I’m trying to get into the voice.
TITLE: WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING HATCHLINGS
AUTHOR: Bridge Heos
ILLUSTRATOR: Stephane Jorisch
PUBLICATION INFO: Lerner’s Millbrook Press, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7613-5860-2
SOURCE: Library
INTENDED AUDIENCE: ages 6-11
GENRE: faction (nonfiction/fiction blend)
OPENING and SYNOPSIS:
“Congratulations, crocodilian parents-to-be! You have little ones on the way. You must be thrilled! You’re probably a little nervous too.”
From the publisher’s Website:
“Read this book to find out where to lay your eggs, how you’ll know when the babies are ready to hatch, and what you and your babies will do all day long. Whether you’re an alligator, caiman, crocodile, or even a funny-looking gharial, you’ll find answers to all your parenting questions here. But there’s one condition: don’t eat the book!”
THEMES/TOPICS: crocodilians, reptiles, animals, nature, science
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: Heos makes informational books fun for kids AND parents. As a parent who devoured What to Expect When You’re Expecting, this animal spoof is irresistible.
RESOURCES/ACTIVITIES:
The book features many resources in the backmatter. Here are a few others:
- National Geographic Kids has videos, pictures and sound clips of a number of crocodilians, including the American Alligator and the Nile Crocodile.
- You can find alligator and crocodile crafts at DLTK.
- Reptiles Alive has reptile lesson plans. National Geographic has a K-2 lesson plan. DiscoveryChannel has a 6th-8th grade lesson plan.
Every Friday bloggers review “Perfect Picture Books.” Find a complete list of book reviews organized by topic, genre and blogger at author Susanna Leonard Hill’s site.
Kirsten W. Larson 
My daughter is a whiz at discriminating between alligator, caiman, crocodile, and gharials! Hurray for non-fiction!
I still find them all confusing. 🙂 I’d better read this quick!
It may be too young for your daughter, but Melissa Stewart’s “Alligator or Crocodile: How Do You Know?” is fantastic. I can totally pick out a crocodile versus alligator at the zoo now. http://www.melissa-stewart.com/books/reptiles/bk_alligcroc.html
I’ve wondered about titles like this. It isn’t a parody of the original really. Regardless, I’m a science nerd and I’d love to read this.
You are right, Wendy. Heos has simply borrowed the framework, which is hilarious!
I like your idea of using good books as “mentors”. Something I’m trying to do as well. I’ll check this one out for sure.
Well, I have to admit I borrowed the concept from Anastasia Suen. 🙂
Sounds croctastic!
Or alligotastic.
Oh that sounds even better! I keep forgetting which is U.S. I should just think Crocodile Dundee is obviously Aussie.
Kirsten, this sounds like a fun and informative choice. All the PPB books today seem to have a unique twist.
Yes, there are a lot of interesting forms and structures, as well as interesting subject matter.
Love this spoof idea. I bet your boys adored it?
Oh yes, especially the six-year-old.
This looks like a lot of fun. I bet my class would love it.
Oh, they would. And she’s got a whole series: one on insects and another on marsupials.
Great non-fiction choice about reptiles. Sounds like it’s packed with interesting information that we don’t think about. Sounds like a great book for kids about the natural world. You always finds great books.
Thanks Pat! This one was particularly fun because it coincided with a trip to the zoo.
I like the cover! This sounds like a great book! 😀
It’s a lot of fun, as are her other books in the series.
I’ve not ever heard of this author! Where have I been? This looks like a great way to introduce nature to kids. I’ll have to check Ms Heos out! Thanks!
I think her first book in the series about larvae came out in 2010? So, they are all fairly new books.
This is so funny, Kirsten…when I saw the title on Susanna’s PPBF list, I only saw the first few words…and wondered why you were reviewing a book for new parents.:) 🙂
I think the title is quite clever…I’m sure many people will click on it, thinking it will be the expected expectant book.:)
I’ve never heard of this one or the author…I’ll try to get a copy…it sounds really interesting…a great way to introduce some nature education in a fun way.:)
Reading the original “What to Expect” would be an eye-opener for little ones. How funny.
Oh, wow, Kirsten! This book looks like SO much fun! i can’t wait to find it and read it! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
I was surprised they weren’t on the list already.
A wonderful choice. Very clever. I like the idea of using the book to further educate oneself in aspects of writing…
I find that one of the best ways to learn is to study nonfiction texts I love to find out what makes them work.
This one is new to me – bet it’s just as good as the others! Yeah – thanks for finding this one!
I love true fiction. Or as you call it faction. IS that a new genre? I may be writing one and not know it. thanks for adding this delightful book to the list, Julie. It sounds funny enough to delight even the most reluctant reader. 🙂
I just love this title and it’s two companions. I can’t wait to read Bridget Heos new BP, Mustache Baby.
I know. I’ve been waiting for it to come out too.