Armadillo's Orange (Hardcover)

~ (Author, Illustrator) "At the wild edge of an orange grove, a young armadillo dug a burrow in soft, sandy soil..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-This prolific author and illustrator has once again produced a small treasure. A young armadillo digs his burrow in an orange grove, pleased that its entrance will be clearly marked by a big, bright fruit that has fallen to the ground. He goes out on grub-hunting forays every day, either ignoring his various animal neighbors, or shuffling impatiently when they impede his progress. When a gust of wind moves his orange, he wanders lost and alone until he realizes that it is the neighbors he has been ignoring who can lead him home again. The story is told in simple, clear prose that belies the larger message about what constitutes a constant in a world of continual flux. The sun-washed watercolor illustrations, done largely in greens, yellows, and oranges, depict a surprisingly endearing armadillo and sensitively capture his world. This comforting, emotionally satisfying book could be shared aloud or read independently by emergent readers.
Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. A testimonial to the value of neighbors emerges in this charming story of a young armadillo that uses an orange next to his burrow as a landmark. Armadillo goes about his business without paying much attention to his animal neighbors until the wind pushes his orange away, and he discovers that the honeybees, the old tortoise, the scrub jay, and the snakes that live near him help mark his place as home. There's a lot of emotion in a deceptively simple text; children will feel for Armadillo, who finds everything "strange and wrong with the big, round orange gone." Arnosky uses appropriately sunny shades of yellow, bright orange, and grass-green watercolor to portray Armadillo's environment. The final image of Armadillo, curled snugly in his burrow, exemplifies the reassurance his story provides. Diane Foote
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (June 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399234128
• ISBN-13: 978-0399234125
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,330,959 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE THIS STORY, November 12, 2004

By	Dawn Dellarocco (SHELTON, CT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great story book for children ages 3 to 7 about the Armadillo finding the big round orange making his way easier to get home to his burrow. I bought this book for my niece and nephew and I absolutely love this story. The illustrations are great and colorful. I highly recommend this book to any parent with young children.

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for children preschool through first grade, July 27, 2003

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Showcasing the undeniable story telling and self-evident artistic talents of Jim Arnosky, Armadillo's Orange is a thoughtful children's picture book about an independent armadillo who keeps to himself, and relies on a big, bright orange to mark the entrance to his burrow home. The one windy day, the orange rolls away and Armadillo is faced with a challenge to find a new way at home - and learns the value of paying attention to one's neighbors. An inviting story about learning to see more of the world around one, Armadillo's Orange is perfect for children preschool through first grade.