[LM_NET] ELEM: BOOK REVIEW: Who's Been Here? A Tale in Tracks by Fran Hodgkins

[Toni Buzzeo <tonibuzzeo@TONIBUZZEO.COM>]

I see that several people have gotten back to reviewing and it 
prompted me to do so as well.  Here's my first recommended title.  Toni

Who's Been Here? A Tale in Tracks by Fran Hodgkins, illustrated by 
Karel Hayes. DownEast, 2008.  978-0-89272-714-8.

As we look ahead to winter curriculum topics in the primary grades, 
"animals in winter" and "hibernation" come quickly to mind.  There's 
always room for one more picture book on the topics and Who's Been 
Here? A Tale in Tracks just might fit the bill.  Framed as a story 
about a dog named Willy who loves "to run around town and up into the 
woods," the book presents a northwoods environment and the many 
animal tracks Willy's child owners find alongside Willy's as they 
chase him.  The lovely twig-framed interior illustrations depict 
Willy's antics while the perimeter of those framed pages clearly show 
wild animal tracks (turkey, fox, raccoon, rabbit, deer, moose, bear, 
skunk) and one domestic cat's. Willy's unfortunate encounter with the 
skunk leaves him outside the door when everyone returns home.  The 
layout requires a page turn to identify each animal, providing 
students and opportunity to guess at identity from the tracks and a 
few supporting textual clues.  Suggested ages 4-7.


Toni Buzzeo, MA, MLIS <mailto:tonibuzzeo@tonibuzzeo.com>
Maine Library Media Specialist of the Year Emerita
Buxton, ME 04093
http://www.tonibuzzeo.com
The Library Doors, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott (Upstart 
2008) BRAND NEW!

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