Monday, April 16, 2012

GIVEAWAY and Review: Curious Critters (Book)

I can't begin to tell you how absolutely beautiful the pictures in Curious Critters are. It is worth buying this book just to look at these gorgeous photographs, but then you add in the witty things that each of these creatures says and you have the makings for an artistic and creative book to read to your kids.

The top picture is a picture I took of the front cover of the book. Just check out the detail, every skin fold, those sticky feet pads and the beautiful contrast between the black and yellow in his eyes. Let me introduce you to the Gray Treefrog, who is also joined in this book by his cousins the American Bullfrog and the American Toad. All three of those critters we see at each of our visits to the RAD Zoo. Other creatures we see at the RAD Zoo, as well as in Curious Critters are the Fox Snake, Spotted Salamander, Eastern Box Turtle, and the Easter Spiny Softshell Turtle.

I wanted to share one other creature in from Curious Critters, by David FitzSimmons, with my readers and that is the Chinese Praying Mathis. After catching bugs for our own praying mantis (from an egg case & kit we bought from InsectLore) for 6 months last year - we still have yet to purchase one this year, but plan to soon before they are gone), I have found this to be such an interesting creature. Other insects in the book include a Bush Katydid, a Red Flat Bark Beetle, a Black Swallowtail, and a Monarch Caterpillars (which these we usually get a chrysalis of every year and watch emerge and then set free.)

There are even more critters in this book to learn about. They are the Ohio Craw fish, Goldfish, Blue Jay, Southern Flying Squirrel, Eastern Screech Owl, Red-Eyed Vireos, a Jumping Spider and Virginia Opossums.

Kick off your Earth Week by buying a copy of Curious Critters and sharing it with your family.

ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN A COPY OF CURIOUS CRITTERS!


a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway I was gifted with a copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing it. All thoughts, opinions and photos in this post are my own. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

53 comments:

Missa said...

Would love to show my daughter Savvy pictures of a Praying Mantis. They used to be a rare, exciting siting as a child but I haven't seen one in years in person.

R.G. said...

My kids would also love the picture of the Praying Mantis!

Maria said...

learning about flying squirrels would be interesting!

ginabad said...

Hands down, praying manthis. Saw one once, they are incredible!

Kristie said...

To appreciate nature I like to go for walks with my husband. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Kristie said...

I would like to see the Southern Flying Squirrel. How cool is that? kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

michele376 said...

As a kid we used to catch praying mantis in the garden. I would like my grandchildren to see the photos.

beh2351@frontier.com

michele376 said...

I try never to kill anything unless it is absolutely necessary. We all live in the same world and should be able to get along.

beh2351@frontier.com

Amanda Lyn said...

I think butterflies and beautiful and fasinating to look at.

Amanda Lyn said...

We go hiking in State Parks alot and its a good way to see diiferent things in nature.

Anita Yancey said...

I would like to view the Eastern Box Turtle.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

My husband and I like to feed and watch birds. We have bird feeders all over our yard. But our favorites to watch are the hummingbirds.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Faythe said...

I would love to see any birds in the wild, esp hummingbirds. but I bet my grandsons would like to see big icky bugs or snakes! LOL. Faythe A @GMT
gramousetails atgmail com

Faythe said...

we enjoy feeding & watching the wild birds & small critters in our yard.
Faythe A @GMT gramousetails atgmail com

Anonymous said...

Any type of bird as my daughter is totally fascinated by them

Anonymous said...

My 3 children and I like exploring the bugs we find in our garden

Catherine said...

praying manthis. Would love to share this book with my daughter.
crr1010atgmaildotcom

Kelly D. said...

Butterflies!!

Kelly L

Kelly D. said...

My daughter and I enjoy bird watching!

Kelly

Samantha said...

Lady bug!

Samantha said...

We LOVE walking in the nearest park!

awhartness said...

I would like to photograph snakes.

awhartness said...

We go to the park to feed the ducks.

Diana said...

Lizards
hrddiana556@gmail.com

Diana said...

I just leave them be!
hrddiana556@gmail.com

Michele N said...

Blue Jay

mneuhouser at gmail dot com

shelly sawicki lash neuhouser

Kimberly said...

I think a sea turtle would be interesting in photos. They live so long, they show their history on their shells.
kirbycolby at gmail dot com

Kimberly said...

I show my appreciation for wild animals by admiring them from afar and teaching my daughter to do the same. :)
kirbycolby at gmail dot com

Michele N said...

Taking walks to enjoy nature

shelly sawicki lash neuhouser

mneuhouser at gmail dot com

Jenny said...

Southern Flying Squirrel

Jenny said...

My kids and I go for nature walks and also read many books about animals.

Nancy said...

I'd like to see a hedgehog!

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Nancy said...

We quietly view wildlife and don't disturb them in any way.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Kathy Davis said...

The Monarch Caterpillars
Kathy Davis
kdavis1@centurytel.net

ossmcalc said...

I would like to see a Horned Toad Lizard or what we used to call Horny Toads.

Thank you,

Christine W
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

We go for walks and hike in the mountains nearby and see the different forms of wildlife. We learn to enjoy them from a distance as they can be quite territorial.

Thank you,

Christine W
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

Cassie said...

I think the screech owl would be the most interesting to view in a photograph

Cassie said...

We like to bird watch, but my tot is pretty good at pointing animals out.

Nicole22654 said...

A ladybug

Unknown said...

I am always amazed with spiders or the green mantis. My respect with critters that they have to hunt their own food, while I go to hunt my bargains at the store.

Unknown said...

I love to look at praying mantis and I really respect that they have to go out and hunt for their food.

Candie L said...

I love frogs. THank you

candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

Candie L said...

WHen we go hiking we stay on the trails. As we observe the animals we do not touch or chase them. THank you

candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

cman said...

Puffins.

cman said...

Just observing them.

Mandy Kauffman said...

I'd love to see deep ocean critters! Thanks for the giveaway! :)

amanda_l_peters@hotmail.com

Mandy Kauffman said...

Every critter took a long evolutionary road to get here, and they all deserve respect!

ani hearts japan said...

I'd like to see pandas and dolphins.

aniwilsonintx at hotmail dot com

ani hearts japan said...

We like to go hiking and look for critters.

aniwilsonintx at hotmail dot com

Barbara said...

I'm not sure maybe a butterfly!
bblanto4@hotmail.com

Barbara said...

We go hiking and fishing a lot!
bblanto4@hotmail.com

Debbie P said...

I love catching bugs with my nephews, and then lett them go. :). Thanks.

Debbie P said...

I'd love to photograph butterflies.