Customer Reviews

In My Backyard

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"Hopscotch Magazine" writer Valarie Giogas presents In My Backyard, a rhyming children's counting picturebook that, in addition to teaching young readers the numbers one through ten, also instructs them in the names of different types of baby animals that can be found in a typical backyard. "In my backyard I can see / a nest of five bunnies / twitching at me. / They've gotten through the garden gate. / Just look at all the plants they ate!" Katherine Zecca's beautifully realistic color illustrations of baby animals cute enough to snuggle make In My Backyard a joy to page through while reading aloud its verses to children, or encouraging children to read the verses themselves.

In My Backyard is a delightful story about baby animals that children might see when they look out the window. Author Valerie Giogas captures each young animal's sweet characteristics and uses rhyme to introduce them. But this isn't just a book about cute animals (which they are!) it's also a learning experience. Giogas expertly places the numbers 1 - 10 in the story. 1 fawn, 4 cubs, 5 bunnies, etc. She also uses a combination of easy words with some that are one step up. It's a chance for parents to introduce new words in a fun way. You'll also be impressed with the extras at the end of the story. Each baby is explained, for example "nymphs are baby grasshoppers." There are fun games to play and pictures of the signs animals leave when they've been there. (tracks, chewed pinecones, etc.) In addition a page of what to do if you find an injured animal. With those extras this is a book that your children will want to read again and again. They'll probably be inspired to go in your backyard looking for animal signs. Sylvan Dell made a great choice here. I'm looking forward to more of Giogas' work. And the illustrations by Katherine Zecca are wonderful.

In My Backyard

Sylvan Dell Publishing brings In My Backyard to the lineup of great children's books released in 2007. Written by newcomer Valarie Giogas and illustrated by Katherine Zecca, this scientific adventure introduces children (and adults, admittedly) to the family names of a host of common animals found around rural and suburban homes.

The story uses a sing-song rhythm that typically delights the young reader with familiarity. It provides practice in basic counting skills from one to ten. This may be a book with a limited audience due to the strict scientific nature of the topic, but any child with an interest in animals and wildlife will find it fascinating. Akin to virtually all Sylvan Dell books, it is a teacher or home schooling parent's dream.

Also with all Sylvan Dell releases, the story is followed up by various activities and expanded teaching opportunities. In My Backyard includes a memory game that can be printed from the publisher's website, extra counting exercises, and helpful information regarding wildlife and caring for injured animals.

Katherine Zecca has written and illustrated various other animal-themed children's titles including River Song, A Puffin's Year, and Why Puppies Do That.

Armchair Interviews says: Another Sylvan Dell winner.

Children will have fun reading this book, probably not even realizing that at the same time they are learning about the animals they can see close by their homes. They will also have fun counting the baby animals. In My Backyard presents ten different animals in their backyard habitat. Author Valerie Giogas uses rhyming and some alliteration in her pleasurable and informative text.

Katherine Zecca's illustrations entrance the eye not only with lifelike renderings of the animals up close, but also with their habitats. For instance the squirrels are snuggled in their tree trunk nest or the moles move about in their burrows. The activities in the book will keep a child or classroom busy and happy while learning. One engrossing thing a child or preschool class can do is look for the "signs" that animals leave to show they are around. What a treasure hunt that will be! Recommended for children two years through seven years.