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Genius Noses: A Curious Animal Compendium
An illustrated collection about animal noses and their amazing functions! Early STEM has never been more fun. Everything kids ever wanted to know about animal noses around the world!
This special collection of animals takes us around the globe and amazes us at the curious diversity of nature. Whether it’s the musk weevil, the elephant, the pig, or the saiga antelope— they all have wonderful noses. In addition to a wide array of functions, noses tell us a lot about animal habits and habitats.
Author Lena Anlauf has compiled the most exciting facts and stories about noses from the animal kingdom, while illustrator, Vitali Konstantinov, introduces us to the individual animals in impressive portraits—with wit and attention to detail.
Which animal can smell underwater? Which one uses their nose as a snorkel? What can animals do with their noses besides smell? Readers will find out this and more in this entertaining collection filled with surprising and unusual facts.
“The book gives fascinating insights into the world of animal noses. Whether small, large, round or star-shaped, you learn a lot of new things here. The wonderful world of noses is clearly explained with beautiful illustrations.” –Pascal Marty, Zoo Zurich
This special collection of animals takes us around the globe and amazes us at the curious diversity of nature. Whether it’s the musk weevil, the elephant, the pig, or the saiga antelope— they all have wonderful noses. In addition to a wide array of functions, noses tell us a lot about animal habits and habitats.
Author Lena Anlauf has compiled the most exciting facts and stories about noses from the animal kingdom, while illustrator, Vitali Konstantinov, introduces us to the individual animals in impressive portraits—with wit and attention to detail.
Which animal can smell underwater? Which one uses their nose as a snorkel? What can animals do with their noses besides smell? Readers will find out this and more in this entertaining collection filled with surprising and unusual facts.
“The book gives fascinating insights into the world of animal noses. Whether small, large, round or star-shaped, you learn a lot of new things here. The wonderful world of noses is clearly explained with beautiful illustrations.” –Pascal Marty, Zoo Zurich
64 pages, Hardcover
Published September 19, 2023
3 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 14, 2023
In a Nutshell: A good compilation of facts connected to animals with “genius noses.” Liked the content, not so much the presentation.
As the title clearly indicates, this is a book about animal noses. And not the ordinary ones but the whimsical ones that have rightly been tagged as ‘genius’ in the name. While such books are usually my cup of tea, this book was a bit of a mixed bag.
The content is outstanding, no doubt about that. The animals range from the popular ‘elephant’ to the I-knew-a-little-about-this-fellow ‘star-nosed mole’ to the I-never-knew-such-an-animal-existed ‘desman’. The range of animals was a treat!
Most pages focus on a single animal, with the left hand side having a large illustration along with the animals’ common name and zoological name, and the right-hand-side having some smaller illustrations and multiple text boxes replete with informative tidbits that blow your mind at times. Instead of being merely educational, the trivia also includes some fun facts about the animals or their habitats or other such related information.
There is a glossary at the end explaining the biological and zoological terms. I loved the inclusion of binomial nomenclature in this list. As the scientific names of the animals are mentioned in the main content, it is nice for kids to understand how the naming process actually works. (Then again, just a few days ago, a newly-discovered snake species was named after Harrison Ford, who already has an ant and a spider species sharing his name. So I too am not sure if there is a scientific logic to zoological names! 😂)
Here’s where the book could have worked better for me:
- There is too much text on the page. Younger kids might be overwhelmed with the cluttered information.
- The font style and its tiny size didn’t help matters. I also couldn’t figure out why the text was green in colour – leaf green is so difficult to read, all the more when placed against light green or yellow or orange backgrounds!
- I prefer actual photos of the animals to illustrations alone in books containing factual details. No matter how well the sketches are created, they still don’t match the impact of photos, and for content where the focus is primarily on physical features, photos would have functioned far better. The current graphic style didn’t represent all the animals accurately, nor did it do justice to all the genius noses. The cartoonish look spoiled the impact of the animal trivia.
All in all, excellent information, but the presentation didn’t work that well for me. I think the physical copy of the book will be easier on the eyes in terms of colour as well as layout, so it will still be a good option for classrooms. The official target age for this book is 6-12 years.
3.5 stars.
My thanks to North South Books Inc. and NetGalley for the DRC of “Genius Noses: A Curious Animal Compendium”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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As the title clearly indicates, this is a book about animal noses. And not the ordinary ones but the whimsical ones that have rightly been tagged as ‘genius’ in the name. While such books are usually my cup of tea, this book was a bit of a mixed bag.
The content is outstanding, no doubt about that. The animals range from the popular ‘elephant’ to the I-knew-a-little-about-this-fellow ‘star-nosed mole’ to the I-never-knew-such-an-animal-existed ‘desman’. The range of animals was a treat!
Most pages focus on a single animal, with the left hand side having a large illustration along with the animals’ common name and zoological name, and the right-hand-side having some smaller illustrations and multiple text boxes replete with informative tidbits that blow your mind at times. Instead of being merely educational, the trivia also includes some fun facts about the animals or their habitats or other such related information.
There is a glossary at the end explaining the biological and zoological terms. I loved the inclusion of binomial nomenclature in this list. As the scientific names of the animals are mentioned in the main content, it is nice for kids to understand how the naming process actually works. (Then again, just a few days ago, a newly-discovered snake species was named after Harrison Ford, who already has an ant and a spider species sharing his name. So I too am not sure if there is a scientific logic to zoological names! 😂)
Here’s where the book could have worked better for me:
- There is too much text on the page. Younger kids might be overwhelmed with the cluttered information.
- The font style and its tiny size didn’t help matters. I also couldn’t figure out why the text was green in colour – leaf green is so difficult to read, all the more when placed against light green or yellow or orange backgrounds!
- I prefer actual photos of the animals to illustrations alone in books containing factual details. No matter how well the sketches are created, they still don’t match the impact of photos, and for content where the focus is primarily on physical features, photos would have functioned far better. The current graphic style didn’t represent all the animals accurately, nor did it do justice to all the genius noses. The cartoonish look spoiled the impact of the animal trivia.
All in all, excellent information, but the presentation didn’t work that well for me. I think the physical copy of the book will be easier on the eyes in terms of colour as well as layout, so it will still be a good option for classrooms. The official target age for this book is 6-12 years.
3.5 stars.
My thanks to North South Books Inc. and NetGalley for the DRC of “Genius Noses: A Curious Animal Compendium”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
April 3, 2023
Simply amazing! Genius Noses was an excellent read. I certainly enjoyed the almost realistic illustrations. Which just made for a complete package.
The educational information contained in the book has so much to offer middle grade readers. Even adults can learn a thing or two. I most certainly did after reading about the Gambian Pouched Rat and its use in detecting land mines!
Genius Noses is sure to be a book that will be read time and time again. Maybe even used as a reference for a school project. Five outstanding stars.
I received a digital ARC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
The educational information contained in the book has so much to offer middle grade readers. Even adults can learn a thing or two. I most certainly did after reading about the Gambian Pouched Rat and its use in detecting land mines!
Genius Noses is sure to be a book that will be read time and time again. Maybe even used as a reference for a school project. Five outstanding stars.
I received a digital ARC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
June 1, 2023
Super cute! It has cute illustrations and tons of facts. It will most definitely satisfy the curious child , especially the awesome ones that like animals
May 29, 2023
Published: 09/19/23
Thank you NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc., NorthSouth Books for accepting my request to read and review Genius Noses.
Hit! I liked this book. I would have problems reading it aloud. The pronunciations of some animals was above my comfort zone. I see that as a problem -- holding the attention of kids 6-12 without being able to read or sound out the names. I liked that the illustrations were friendly. The descriptions of each animal and their traits could be entertained as trivia.
Overall, I found the book enjoyable and would gift.
Thank you NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc., NorthSouth Books for accepting my request to read and review Genius Noses.
Hit! I liked this book. I would have problems reading it aloud. The pronunciations of some animals was above my comfort zone. I see that as a problem -- holding the attention of kids 6-12 without being able to read or sound out the names. I liked that the illustrations were friendly. The descriptions of each animal and their traits could be entertained as trivia.
Overall, I found the book enjoyable and would gift.
May 7, 2023
Educational and informative animal book with the focus on noses. I like that it includes facts on unique features of their noses, how they are used, where animals can be found and even latin names. There are no photos but it has colorful illustrations. I especially liked there were many animals I was less familiar with. I can see this being read with a younger child who has an interest in animals. There are too many words on a page, with many difficult words for younger readers to be able to read on their own. I’d recommend for 3rd grade and up.
Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for the ARC and I’m leaving a voluntary review.
Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for the ARC and I’m leaving a voluntary review.
April 13, 2023
Genius Noses is the perfect book for any children that likes animals.
As the title suggests we are introduced to a collection of different animals with the most amazing and interesting noses. With fun illustrations and a glossary to help out with all the big words, this book is a delight and it is fully equipped to answer all the questions that the little ones might have about all the different noses of the animal kingdom.
As the title suggests we are introduced to a collection of different animals with the most amazing and interesting noses. With fun illustrations and a glossary to help out with all the big words, this book is a delight and it is fully equipped to answer all the questions that the little ones might have about all the different noses of the animal kingdom.
May 15, 2023
A smart colorful entertaining educational compendium for curious minds. Lena Anlauf found a winner when she decided to make her subject for her next book animal noses And all the things they do besides smell. They use them as tools warning systems and much much more they can be used underwater underground and under threat. Nature is so interesting and when reading books about nature the one thing that keeps running through my mind always is that truth is stranger than fiction and then the book Genius Noses that is certainly the case. I think the author has found the winner with these colorful pictures descriptive paragraphs and interesting animals. I truly enjoyed this book and it always surprises me how much I enjoy non-fiction books this one included. I found it so interesting and so worth reading to my daughter and they even gave them a few giggles. I received this book from NetGalley but I’m leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
May 11, 2023
I received a free copy of, Genius Noses, by Lena Anlauf, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book has animals from all over the world, it explains the animal, its nose, and what its nose helps each specific animal do, I learned a lot about the animals actually. A good read for kids of all ages.
April 8, 2023
So informative and fun to read!
Short yet filled with fascinating facts about how different wild life animals use their nose and how their noses function are given in this short colourful read. The illustrations are warm and easy to the eyes; distinct and accurately done. For further reading and details, you can check out the glossary and the index towards the end of the book.
Thank you, NorthSouth Books Inc, for the advance reading copy.
Short yet filled with fascinating facts about how different wild life animals use their nose and how their noses function are given in this short colourful read. The illustrations are warm and easy to the eyes; distinct and accurately done. For further reading and details, you can check out the glossary and the index towards the end of the book.
Thank you, NorthSouth Books Inc, for the advance reading copy.
June 20, 2023
A cute collection of some cute animals with their noses. I liked the variety of colors used to make the book attractive. The kids are definitely going to like it. I would like to give 5 stars to the book. Thanks to Netgalley and the author for providing me with an opportunity to read and review the book.
February 25, 2024
Genius Noses: A Curious Animal Compendium is a wonderful book for kids or adults who enjoy learning about animals, this time animals with wonderful and different noses. There are 42 different animals highlighted in this books. There are a few drawings of each of them doing different things and the text includes various facts about each one including things such as what they eat, where they live, protection from predators, what they use their proboscis for, families, descriptions of the noses and more. Some of the animals we had heard of, others were new to us. My youngest grandson just wanted to look at the illustrations and listen to only a few of the facts. He was enthralled by illustrator, Vitali Konstantinov's portraits done with wit and attention to detail. The older two took turns reading about the animals, with the oldest constantly shouting, "grandma, listen to this!" and he would proceed to read the page and show me the pictures again. With a map at the front showing where all the animals live, and the back showing comparisons of relative sizes, there is even more information for them to learn and visualize. Definitely a hit for us. I recommend this book highly for schools and public libraries.
June 2, 2023
First of all I did try to read this book using the NG app on my phone but the book's format made it almost impossible with really super small text so I decided to download it instead to the computer in the hopes that it would at least appear a lot easier to read, which fortunately it did although still a bit on the smaller side for font.
Besides that small snafu, though, the book starts off really strong in my opinion with the change to the Table of Contents. Instead of listing sections and the animal entries what Lena Anlauf went with was a renaming of the section to What and Where. This section then goes ahead to break the animals down into sections but in a sense where the flying creatures are listed besides a flying bird and clouds while the ground creatures are on top of the ground and those that can be found under are located neatly under the ground illustration. Furthermore on the right side of this section was drawn a tree for arboreal creatures and a nice water patch for those who prefer more watery biomes for a home. But just as a heads-up to readers who like to be organized this creative cataloging of entries in the book doesn't necessarily mean that the flyers will come first nor the order in which the reader will come upon the listed species.
The book then breaks down into providing a two-page spread for each animal with the left page providing an almost profile-like picture for the animal species in question, its common name and followed by its scientific name(s) for more than one species as well as in a few circumstances a caption highlighting an extra factoid for readers. The opposite page meanwhile is dedicated to providing the reader with more detailed information about the animals such as where it lives, how it uses its nose and other behavioral facts for young readers. Occasionally the reader will also find a handful of animals thrown onto the same spread that may be very similar in family like the pigs or just in appearance like the elephant solendons/elephant shrews/Gambian pouched rats, etc.
Although the illustrations are brightly colored some of the animals aren't portrayed realistically but appear instead to be a bit cartoonish. Although I can see this attracting to very much young readers I wish the animals had been portrayed just a bit better than that, especially the hyena found on the page with the aardvark or the stink badger.
All in all it was quite an interesting read and one that children will most definitely enjoy, especially if they are into learning about animals.
**I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Besides that small snafu, though, the book starts off really strong in my opinion with the change to the Table of Contents. Instead of listing sections and the animal entries what Lena Anlauf went with was a renaming of the section to What and Where. This section then goes ahead to break the animals down into sections but in a sense where the flying creatures are listed besides a flying bird and clouds while the ground creatures are on top of the ground and those that can be found under are located neatly under the ground illustration. Furthermore on the right side of this section was drawn a tree for arboreal creatures and a nice water patch for those who prefer more watery biomes for a home. But just as a heads-up to readers who like to be organized this creative cataloging of entries in the book doesn't necessarily mean that the flyers will come first nor the order in which the reader will come upon the listed species.
The book then breaks down into providing a two-page spread for each animal with the left page providing an almost profile-like picture for the animal species in question, its common name and followed by its scientific name(s) for more than one species as well as in a few circumstances a caption highlighting an extra factoid for readers. The opposite page meanwhile is dedicated to providing the reader with more detailed information about the animals such as where it lives, how it uses its nose and other behavioral facts for young readers. Occasionally the reader will also find a handful of animals thrown onto the same spread that may be very similar in family like the pigs or just in appearance like the elephant solendons/elephant shrews/Gambian pouched rats, etc.
Although the illustrations are brightly colored some of the animals aren't portrayed realistically but appear instead to be a bit cartoonish. Although I can see this attracting to very much young readers I wish the animals had been portrayed just a bit better than that, especially the hyena found on the page with the aardvark or the stink badger.
All in all it was quite an interesting read and one that children will most definitely enjoy, especially if they are into learning about animals.
**I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
May 14, 2023
This is such a cute book. Who knew there were so many different animals with so many different size noses. I’m sure we are all familiar with Elephants and anteaters, but who knew about the Desman, the Echidna, the Proboscis monkey or the different noses on bats.
Short quick picture book about all the differently nosed animals out there, along with little facts about what they do with said noses. Also, at the end of the book, we get info on insects and fishes, and non-land animals.
The great thing about these sort of non-fiction books is that it opens kids up to other ideas,and wanting to get more information on the various animals. And it is a lot of fun to read through.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This books comes out the 19th of September 2023 from NorthSouth Books.
Short quick picture book about all the differently nosed animals out there, along with little facts about what they do with said noses. Also, at the end of the book, we get info on insects and fishes, and non-land animals.
The great thing about these sort of non-fiction books is that it opens kids up to other ideas,and wanting to get more information on the various animals. And it is a lot of fun to read through.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This books comes out the 19th of September 2023 from NorthSouth Books.
May 4, 2023
Flying creatures, Happiest when hanging out in trees, Ground dwellers, Water creatures, Underground diggers, Index, extensive glossary, and even notes!
What a marvelous zoological exercise of common and exotic animals whose noses are very important to them in many ways!
Translated from the German by Marshall Yarbrough
The illustrations by Vitali Konstantinov are fun, colorful, and delightful while making it clear what fauna is being shown.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school, doctor's office or your public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from NorthSouth Books Inc./NorthSouth Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
What a marvelous zoological exercise of common and exotic animals whose noses are very important to them in many ways!
Translated from the German by Marshall Yarbrough
The illustrations by Vitali Konstantinov are fun, colorful, and delightful while making it clear what fauna is being shown.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school, doctor's office or your public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from NorthSouth Books Inc./NorthSouth Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
June 14, 2023
This is a super cute compendium of animals with prominent noses, from the familiar to the unusual. Kiddo (9) is a big fan of animals and biology and greatly enjoyed reading about each of them. There are lots of fascinating facts about each animal, and the illustrations are absolutely adorable in a quirky, weird sort of way.
My only criticism is that the font chosen is hard to read, which is compounded by the odd choice of green text on tan background. I had to zoom in a lot while reading.
*Thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for providing an early copy for review.
My only criticism is that the font chosen is hard to read, which is compounded by the odd choice of green text on tan background. I had to zoom in a lot while reading.
*Thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for providing an early copy for review.
April 10, 2023
Beautiful book about animals with unique noses... Very informative and the illustrations are beautiful. I only recognized about ten of the animals featured. A learning experience for child and parent.
April 16, 2023
a wonderful book for children and adults about animals and most speccifically, animals and their noses. The art is great and it's very engaging, and I really learned a lot of new things I didn't know of animals and their noses.
June 29, 2024
I had no idea noses could be so interesting! One of my favorite features was about the star-nosed mole. It’s nose has 5 times the nerve receptors as the human hand. And it can smell underwater! Amazing! The unusual, quirky design of this book added to its charm.
May 2, 2023
This one is interesting and informative with beautiful illustrations that will keep inquiring minds busy and engaged.
My son is going to love this one.
My son is going to love this one.
June 29, 2023
You learn the what and where of noses of the animal kingdom. Very interesting facts about how noses work in the animal kingdom. How they keep animals safe, finding a mate, eating, and just pretty unique in looks. All sizes and shapes. For the child that enjoys learning, this will keep them engaged.
A special thank you to NorthSouth Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
A special thank you to NorthSouth Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
September 17, 2023
A sweet book with funny illustrations about animal's noses. It's one of those books that answers to curious questions and i had fun.
I think it will be appreciated by children
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I think it will be appreciated by children
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
June 27, 2023
Mit einer guten Nase für feine Tierbücher konnte ich diese kuriose Tiersammlung erschnüffeln, die uns die Vielfalt der Riechkolben näherbringt. Der Bisamrüssler, der Elefant, das Schwein oder die Saiga-Antilope – sie alle haben einen besonderen Geruchssinn. Nasen erzählen viel über die Gewohnheiten und Lebensräume von Tieren.
Wir reisen rund um den Globus, um die Fertigkeiten der Nasen kennenzulernen. A – wie Afrika – hier wohnt das Erdferkel, das mit seinem langen Rüssel Termitennester erschnüffeln kann. Aber das ist nicht alles. Mit den Grabkrallen bricht es Insektenbauten oder Baumrinde auf und leckt mit seiner langen, klebrigen Zunge (wurmartige Ausprägung) Ameisen und Termiten aus den engen Gängen des Nestes heraus. Und – es verschluckt die ganze lange Zunge. Es gibt noch mehr über das Erdferkel zu erfahren. Ob Stinkdachs, Schnabeligel, Sternnasenmaulwürfe, Riesenhamsterratte, Elefantenspitzmaus, Rüsselhündchen, Nasenaffen, Flughunde, Seeelefanten, Pinocchio-Baumfrosch, alles interessante Tiere. – Ach so, ihr denkt gerade, mir wächst eine lange Nase vom Erfinden? – Nein, die Tiere gibt es real. Sie sind allesamt spezielle Riechkünstler. Der Kaninchennasenbeutler (der kleine und der große) wird in Australien liebevoll Bilby genannt – und dort gibt es an Ostern den Schokobilby, keinen Hasen. Doch leider gibt es den kleinen Bilby nicht mehr – aber lest selbst. Manche Meeresvögel besitzen Röhrennasen, und wenn sie beim Fischfang zu viel Salz in die Nase bekommen, pusten dieses über ihre Nasendrüsen wieder aus. Die Röhren dienen auch zum Beschießen von Gegnern – lest selbst. Ein ausgeprägter Geruchsinn und andere wichtige Fähigkeiten vereinen die Tiere in diesem spannenden Bilderbuch.
Faszinierende Fakten aus dem Tierreich, und das nicht nur oberflächlich. Neben dem weitläufigen Namen gibt es den zoologischen Begriff dazu; Orycteropus – unser Erdferkel, das der Gruppe der Makrosmaten zugerechnet wird – also den Nasentieren, die sich am Geruchssinn orientieren. Mit dem Wissen aus diesem Sachbilderbuch könnt ihr eure Biolehrer in Staunen versetzen. Vitali Konstantinov hat die Porträts die einzelnen Tiere illustriert, zeigt die Persönlichkeiten mit Witz und viel Liebe zum Detail. In zarten Naturfarben in Mehrfachtechnik, Buntstift und Aquarellstil sind die Tiere als Porträts vorgestellt, einzelne Szenen und Details zu den Nasen reichern die Textvignetten an. Der Nord-Süd Verlag gibt eine Altersempfehlung ab 5 Jahren – passt, aber sicher ist das Buch auch für ältere Geschwister und Eltern sehr interessant. Empfehlung, hier habt ihr den richtigen Riecher – Abteilung Lieblingsbuch.
Lena Anlauf studierte Buchwissenschaft und Philosophie in Mainz und Leiden, absolvierte den Fernkurs „Kinder- und Jugendliteratur“ der STUBE in Wien und ist zertifizierte Literaturpädagogin (BVL). Heute lebt sie in Marburg und arbeitet als Programmleiterin im kunstanstifter verlag. Gemeinsam mit Vitali Konstantinov entwickelt sie eigene Buchprojekte.
Vitali Konstantinov studierte Kunst und Architektur in Russland sowie Grafik, Malerei und Kunstgeschichte in Deutschland. Seit mehr als 20 Jahren schreibt und illustriert er Bücher, die in 40 Ländern erschienen. 2020 wurde er für den Deutschen Jugendliteraturpreis nominiert. Vitali Konstantinov lebt als freier Illustrator und Autor in Marburg.
Wir reisen rund um den Globus, um die Fertigkeiten der Nasen kennenzulernen. A – wie Afrika – hier wohnt das Erdferkel, das mit seinem langen Rüssel Termitennester erschnüffeln kann. Aber das ist nicht alles. Mit den Grabkrallen bricht es Insektenbauten oder Baumrinde auf und leckt mit seiner langen, klebrigen Zunge (wurmartige Ausprägung) Ameisen und Termiten aus den engen Gängen des Nestes heraus. Und – es verschluckt die ganze lange Zunge. Es gibt noch mehr über das Erdferkel zu erfahren. Ob Stinkdachs, Schnabeligel, Sternnasenmaulwürfe, Riesenhamsterratte, Elefantenspitzmaus, Rüsselhündchen, Nasenaffen, Flughunde, Seeelefanten, Pinocchio-Baumfrosch, alles interessante Tiere. – Ach so, ihr denkt gerade, mir wächst eine lange Nase vom Erfinden? – Nein, die Tiere gibt es real. Sie sind allesamt spezielle Riechkünstler. Der Kaninchennasenbeutler (der kleine und der große) wird in Australien liebevoll Bilby genannt – und dort gibt es an Ostern den Schokobilby, keinen Hasen. Doch leider gibt es den kleinen Bilby nicht mehr – aber lest selbst. Manche Meeresvögel besitzen Röhrennasen, und wenn sie beim Fischfang zu viel Salz in die Nase bekommen, pusten dieses über ihre Nasendrüsen wieder aus. Die Röhren dienen auch zum Beschießen von Gegnern – lest selbst. Ein ausgeprägter Geruchsinn und andere wichtige Fähigkeiten vereinen die Tiere in diesem spannenden Bilderbuch.
Faszinierende Fakten aus dem Tierreich, und das nicht nur oberflächlich. Neben dem weitläufigen Namen gibt es den zoologischen Begriff dazu; Orycteropus – unser Erdferkel, das der Gruppe der Makrosmaten zugerechnet wird – also den Nasentieren, die sich am Geruchssinn orientieren. Mit dem Wissen aus diesem Sachbilderbuch könnt ihr eure Biolehrer in Staunen versetzen. Vitali Konstantinov hat die Porträts die einzelnen Tiere illustriert, zeigt die Persönlichkeiten mit Witz und viel Liebe zum Detail. In zarten Naturfarben in Mehrfachtechnik, Buntstift und Aquarellstil sind die Tiere als Porträts vorgestellt, einzelne Szenen und Details zu den Nasen reichern die Textvignetten an. Der Nord-Süd Verlag gibt eine Altersempfehlung ab 5 Jahren – passt, aber sicher ist das Buch auch für ältere Geschwister und Eltern sehr interessant. Empfehlung, hier habt ihr den richtigen Riecher – Abteilung Lieblingsbuch.
Lena Anlauf studierte Buchwissenschaft und Philosophie in Mainz und Leiden, absolvierte den Fernkurs „Kinder- und Jugendliteratur“ der STUBE in Wien und ist zertifizierte Literaturpädagogin (BVL). Heute lebt sie in Marburg und arbeitet als Programmleiterin im kunstanstifter verlag. Gemeinsam mit Vitali Konstantinov entwickelt sie eigene Buchprojekte.
Vitali Konstantinov studierte Kunst und Architektur in Russland sowie Grafik, Malerei und Kunstgeschichte in Deutschland. Seit mehr als 20 Jahren schreibt und illustriert er Bücher, die in 40 Ländern erschienen. 2020 wurde er für den Deutschen Jugendliteraturpreis nominiert. Vitali Konstantinov lebt als freier Illustrator und Autor in Marburg.
October 6, 2023
Book Review: Genius Noses: A Curious Animal Compendium by by Lena Anlauf (Author), Vitali Konstantinov (Illustrator)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars
“Genius Noses: A Curious Animal Compendium” by Lena Anlauf and Vitali Konstantinov is an enchanting illustrated collection that explores the intriguing realm of animal noses and their remarkable functions. In this early STEM book, children are taken on an educational adventure around the world, discovering the diverse noses of various animals and unraveling the secrets they hold.
The book captivates readers with its stunning cover, which is a delightful foreshadowing of the visual feast that awaits within its pages. The soft pencil-like illustrations by Vitali Konstantinov bring each animal to life, showcasing their distinctive features with great attention to detail and a touch of whimsy. Coupled with Lena Anlauf’s engaging storytelling, this book creates a perfect blend of art and knowledge.
The authors take us on a global journey, introducing us to a wide range of animals, from the humble musk weevil to the majestic elephant, the adorable pig, and the unique saiga antelope. Each animal is accompanied by fascinating facts and stories about their noses, shedding light on their habits and habitats. Readers will be thrilled to learn about the extraordinary abilities of these creatures and the diverse functions their noses serve in their lives.
One of the highlights of “Genius Noses” is the way it encourages readers to think beyond conventional ideas about noses. The book challenges us to ponder questions such as which animal can smell underwater or use its nose as a snorkel. Through these intriguing inquiries, children are encouraged to think critically and expand their understanding of the natural world.
While “Genius Noses” is an enthralling read, there is one minor drawback that should be mentioned. The text, albeit informative and well-written, is somewhat small in size. This can make reading a little challenging, especially for younger readers or those with visual impairments. However, this minor flaw does not overshadow the overall appeal of the book.
In conclusion, “Genius Noses: A Curious Animal Compendium” is an outstanding addition to any child’s library. Its adorable cover and captivating illustrations will instantly catch the attention of young readers. The well-organized layout and interesting facts make it an educational resource that seamlessly blends entertainment with knowledge. This book would be a fantastic gift for any young animal lover or nature enthusiast, sparking curiosity, and inspiring a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the animal kingdom.
Disclaimer: This book review reflects the personal opinion of the reviewer and is based on subjective experiences with the book.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars
“Genius Noses: A Curious Animal Compendium” by Lena Anlauf and Vitali Konstantinov is an enchanting illustrated collection that explores the intriguing realm of animal noses and their remarkable functions. In this early STEM book, children are taken on an educational adventure around the world, discovering the diverse noses of various animals and unraveling the secrets they hold.
The book captivates readers with its stunning cover, which is a delightful foreshadowing of the visual feast that awaits within its pages. The soft pencil-like illustrations by Vitali Konstantinov bring each animal to life, showcasing their distinctive features with great attention to detail and a touch of whimsy. Coupled with Lena Anlauf’s engaging storytelling, this book creates a perfect blend of art and knowledge.
The authors take us on a global journey, introducing us to a wide range of animals, from the humble musk weevil to the majestic elephant, the adorable pig, and the unique saiga antelope. Each animal is accompanied by fascinating facts and stories about their noses, shedding light on their habits and habitats. Readers will be thrilled to learn about the extraordinary abilities of these creatures and the diverse functions their noses serve in their lives.
One of the highlights of “Genius Noses” is the way it encourages readers to think beyond conventional ideas about noses. The book challenges us to ponder questions such as which animal can smell underwater or use its nose as a snorkel. Through these intriguing inquiries, children are encouraged to think critically and expand their understanding of the natural world.
While “Genius Noses” is an enthralling read, there is one minor drawback that should be mentioned. The text, albeit informative and well-written, is somewhat small in size. This can make reading a little challenging, especially for younger readers or those with visual impairments. However, this minor flaw does not overshadow the overall appeal of the book.
In conclusion, “Genius Noses: A Curious Animal Compendium” is an outstanding addition to any child’s library. Its adorable cover and captivating illustrations will instantly catch the attention of young readers. The well-organized layout and interesting facts make it an educational resource that seamlessly blends entertainment with knowledge. This book would be a fantastic gift for any young animal lover or nature enthusiast, sparking curiosity, and inspiring a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the animal kingdom.
Disclaimer: This book review reflects the personal opinion of the reviewer and is based on subjective experiences with the book.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
June 10, 2023
This nonfiction work is about animals with special noses, and how those noses can inform us about the habitats and habits of the animals. It looks at animals from around the world with the goal of celebrating animal diversity and providing information about animals that may be lesser known if they’re not from your home continent.
The work begins with a cute drawn map of the world with the animals placed on their proper continent. The front of the book sorts the creatures by their habitats, titled “What and Where”, which I quite liked. There are some animals that I was familiar with like koalas and elephants, and others that I’d never heard of like the desman. There is also a glossary in the back that includes the more advanced terms used, the sources used, and an index. I quite enjoyed how well somewhat advanced terms were used throughout the text but adequately explained, which made for a smooth and informative read.
The pages were set up in a way that was visually pleasing. The lefthand page was usually a large drawing of the animal with its common and scientific names included. The righthand page usually included a couple small drawings of the animal with several different textboxes that were separated by the pictures or different background colors. This made the information approachable and digestible, even when there was quite a bit of text on the page. There are a few errors in the work that will hopefully be changed by the published version. This work was originally in German, and the errors seemed to be simple translation errors. While I did love the illustrations and their style, I think this book would have benefitted from also using actual photographs of the animals to be more educational.
This would be a wonderful gift for slightly older kids (6-12 is the Amazon age recommendation) who love and are interested in animals. My thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for allowing me to read this book, which will be published September 19, 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The work begins with a cute drawn map of the world with the animals placed on their proper continent. The front of the book sorts the creatures by their habitats, titled “What and Where”, which I quite liked. There are some animals that I was familiar with like koalas and elephants, and others that I’d never heard of like the desman. There is also a glossary in the back that includes the more advanced terms used, the sources used, and an index. I quite enjoyed how well somewhat advanced terms were used throughout the text but adequately explained, which made for a smooth and informative read.
The pages were set up in a way that was visually pleasing. The lefthand page was usually a large drawing of the animal with its common and scientific names included. The righthand page usually included a couple small drawings of the animal with several different textboxes that were separated by the pictures or different background colors. This made the information approachable and digestible, even when there was quite a bit of text on the page. There are a few errors in the work that will hopefully be changed by the published version. This work was originally in German, and the errors seemed to be simple translation errors. While I did love the illustrations and their style, I think this book would have benefitted from also using actual photographs of the animals to be more educational.
This would be a wonderful gift for slightly older kids (6-12 is the Amazon age recommendation) who love and are interested in animals. My thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for allowing me to read this book, which will be published September 19, 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
April 14, 2023
This appealing nonfiction book invites readers to consider interesting noses in the animal kingdom. Where is the nose on the animal’s body? What can they do with it? What does it look like? From endpapers to index, there’s a lot of information here. Part of the appeal is the way the information is presented. Cameo pictures of animals and text in green font are easy to parse. Animals are divided by type: flying creatures, ground dwellers, underground diggers, tree dwellers and water creatures. Matter of fact text describes whether the animal can smell and how they use their nose. Kids will know about many of the animals, although there are some unusual ones (like the desman and the short-nosed unicorn fish), but they’ll learn new facts, for instance, how an elephant can detect water six miles away by using its sense of smell. I was amazed to learn that a star nosed mole can smell underwater. There are even some facts about whether the animal is endangered. It was interesting to learn that in Australia, there is a drive to feature chocolate bilbies at Easter time instead of bunnies, because when rabbits were introduced into the bilby’s habitat, the bilby population was decimated.
The wonderful artwork, which resembles Sergio Ruzzier’s ink and colored pencil art, is luminous, accurate and at times amusing. For instance, a stink badger is shown spraying its smelly anal gland fluid at a dog, whose face is comically grossed out. The front endpapers show a map modelled on the AuthaGraph world map, showing where the featured animals live; the end endpapers show how the animals compare in size to each other and humans. In addition, there’s a table of contents, glossary, notes, and index of the Latin names.
An introduction explaining how the animals were chosen would have helped frame the topic. The typeface is quite small, which, together with the sophisticated language, may make this hard for readers under 12.
The wonderful artwork, which resembles Sergio Ruzzier’s ink and colored pencil art, is luminous, accurate and at times amusing. For instance, a stink badger is shown spraying its smelly anal gland fluid at a dog, whose face is comically grossed out. The front endpapers show a map modelled on the AuthaGraph world map, showing where the featured animals live; the end endpapers show how the animals compare in size to each other and humans. In addition, there’s a table of contents, glossary, notes, and index of the Latin names.
An introduction explaining how the animals were chosen would have helped frame the topic. The typeface is quite small, which, together with the sophisticated language, may make this hard for readers under 12.
July 15, 2023
Who'd have expected a book about, well, noses to be both informative and downright entertaining? Not me, to be honest. It was the animal angle that drew me to this one, genius noses or not, and I'm glad it did. I met some animals that, quite frankly, I'd never heard of, and more about how not just their noses work but how different species contribute to the well-being of others as well as the environment. All illustrated with whimsical yet realistic illustrations that often made me grin. In other words, I had fun reading it and learned new things, a win-win for me.
This should definitely be on the book shelves of science teachers and those who have inquisitive children who love science and animals. You'll even be able to impress them by knowing that elephants have over 40,000 muscles in their trunks and can pick up some 660 pounds of weight with them almost as easily as they can a peanut. Bet they'll be as amused by the name Pinocchio Lizard and Stink Badger as I was, not to mention be amazed where those frequently tongue twister scientific names are derived from. And, that's only the very tip of all the fun, intriguing info within. Toss in a glossary, index, and notes on sources, not to mention a fun world map showing the primary location of the animals discussed and you've got a winner.
Thanks #NetGalley and #NorthSouthBooks for giving me a sneak peek at these "Genius Noses" critters. I honestly changed my mind a dozen times on which one was most fascinating, a good sign that they all had something of worth to offer.
This should definitely be on the book shelves of science teachers and those who have inquisitive children who love science and animals. You'll even be able to impress them by knowing that elephants have over 40,000 muscles in their trunks and can pick up some 660 pounds of weight with them almost as easily as they can a peanut. Bet they'll be as amused by the name Pinocchio Lizard and Stink Badger as I was, not to mention be amazed where those frequently tongue twister scientific names are derived from. And, that's only the very tip of all the fun, intriguing info within. Toss in a glossary, index, and notes on sources, not to mention a fun world map showing the primary location of the animals discussed and you've got a winner.
Thanks #NetGalley and #NorthSouthBooks for giving me a sneak peek at these "Genius Noses" critters. I honestly changed my mind a dozen times on which one was most fascinating, a good sign that they all had something of worth to offer.
May 3, 2023
I received a copy of this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lena Anlauf has compiled an extensive list of diverse animals throughout the globe with the most unusual noses. These run the gamut from familiar animals like koalas and elephants to animals completely new to me like stink badgers and desmans. Each page has interesting information about these animals - including Latin names, common names, and more colloquial names - along with fun vocabulary words. Is this animal micro or macrosmatic? What is their binomial nomenclature? There is a handy glossary at the end, but even within the book itself they explain the vocabulary quite well.
Vitali Konstantinov illustrates the different animals with entertaining and energetic drawings. The animals convey a great deal of emotion and excitement. They are shown doing what is described in the text - using their nose as a snorkel, or greeting one another with them. They explore their world with the wide variety of schnozzles and muzzles and it's delightful to see. I found myself lingering upon a great deal of the drawings - I wouldn't mind a bookmark with the desman on it!
This is a book that I wish I had as a kid, as someone deeply interested in animals. As an adult, I learned a great deal! This book is extremely interesting, and it respects the intelligence of young readers. It's a book that anyone would treasure for years, and a great introduction to STEM for young readers.
Lena Anlauf has compiled an extensive list of diverse animals throughout the globe with the most unusual noses. These run the gamut from familiar animals like koalas and elephants to animals completely new to me like stink badgers and desmans. Each page has interesting information about these animals - including Latin names, common names, and more colloquial names - along with fun vocabulary words. Is this animal micro or macrosmatic? What is their binomial nomenclature? There is a handy glossary at the end, but even within the book itself they explain the vocabulary quite well.
Vitali Konstantinov illustrates the different animals with entertaining and energetic drawings. The animals convey a great deal of emotion and excitement. They are shown doing what is described in the text - using their nose as a snorkel, or greeting one another with them. They explore their world with the wide variety of schnozzles and muzzles and it's delightful to see. I found myself lingering upon a great deal of the drawings - I wouldn't mind a bookmark with the desman on it!
This is a book that I wish I had as a kid, as someone deeply interested in animals. As an adult, I learned a great deal! This book is extremely interesting, and it respects the intelligence of young readers. It's a book that anyone would treasure for years, and a great introduction to STEM for young readers.
August 7, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for an advanced reader copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.
I’m very torn on my opinion regarding Genius Noses: A Curious Animal Compendium written by Lena Anlauf and illustrated by Vitali Konstantinov. The illustrations are done in a beautiful color scheme and overall style. There are many animals covered and the factual information is thorough. My concerns have to do with the actual readability of the text and lack of headings or apparent organization in how the text is laid out. I read the book electronically and even with zooming in, I had difficulty reading the text mainly because of the font choices. I’m worried that a physical copy will be difficult to read as well. I also wish that the information about each animal was organized with headings or something because I wasn’t sure what to read first. Even if the order of the paragraphs doesn’t matter, having headings is also helpful for finding the information you’re looking for on the page. All in all, I would give this 2.5 stars but am going to round down to 2 for accessibility concerns.
I’m very torn on my opinion regarding Genius Noses: A Curious Animal Compendium written by Lena Anlauf and illustrated by Vitali Konstantinov. The illustrations are done in a beautiful color scheme and overall style. There are many animals covered and the factual information is thorough. My concerns have to do with the actual readability of the text and lack of headings or apparent organization in how the text is laid out. I read the book electronically and even with zooming in, I had difficulty reading the text mainly because of the font choices. I’m worried that a physical copy will be difficult to read as well. I also wish that the information about each animal was organized with headings or something because I wasn’t sure what to read first. Even if the order of the paragraphs doesn’t matter, having headings is also helpful for finding the information you’re looking for on the page. All in all, I would give this 2.5 stars but am going to round down to 2 for accessibility concerns.
September 1, 2023
I loved this educational book comprised of beautiful illustrations and entertaining in-depth information about a world of creatures and the capabilities of their noses. Many of these animals were completely new to me and I enjoyed learning how they used their snouts to survive.
The author, Lena Anlauf, was extremely knowledgeable. I feel certain that children will thoroughly enjoy learning about these animals and their creative noses. I foresee this book becoming a favorite that children will request over and over again. A copy belongs in every classroom, school library, as well as the bookshelves in every child’s and grandparent’s homes.
This book offers many possibilities for the elementary classroom. It could be utilized in modules in science, animal life, health, and ecology. The projects could be modified based on grade levels.
I want to thank Author Lena Anlauf, Illustrator Vitali Konstantinov, Northsouth Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this Advanced Reader’s Copy. This is a voluntary review, and all comments and opinions are entirely my own.
The author, Lena Anlauf, was extremely knowledgeable. I feel certain that children will thoroughly enjoy learning about these animals and their creative noses. I foresee this book becoming a favorite that children will request over and over again. A copy belongs in every classroom, school library, as well as the bookshelves in every child’s and grandparent’s homes.
This book offers many possibilities for the elementary classroom. It could be utilized in modules in science, animal life, health, and ecology. The projects could be modified based on grade levels.
I want to thank Author Lena Anlauf, Illustrator Vitali Konstantinov, Northsouth Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this Advanced Reader’s Copy. This is a voluntary review, and all comments and opinions are entirely my own.
May 4, 2023
Thank you so much to NorthSouth books and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.
A glossary compendium styled book sharing facts on many animals around the world that have unique noses and use them for their survival. With illustrations and jam packed with facts.
This was such a unique book, it never occurred to me that so many rare animals lived with interesting noses or that they played such an important part in their lives. In reading this I have discovered so much, so many new animals and so many new facts about them.
I really enjoyed diving into this factual book, I loved looking through the illustrations on each page, seeing the varieties of different species, getting to learn what their noses were used for, how they lived. The variety of animals included is incredible.
This is a perfect educational book for anyone but especially children to learn all about these unique animals, and their unique noses. It has so much to share and people that love animals would highly enjoy this book.
A glossary compendium styled book sharing facts on many animals around the world that have unique noses and use them for their survival. With illustrations and jam packed with facts.
This was such a unique book, it never occurred to me that so many rare animals lived with interesting noses or that they played such an important part in their lives. In reading this I have discovered so much, so many new animals and so many new facts about them.
I really enjoyed diving into this factual book, I loved looking through the illustrations on each page, seeing the varieties of different species, getting to learn what their noses were used for, how they lived. The variety of animals included is incredible.
This is a perfect educational book for anyone but especially children to learn all about these unique animals, and their unique noses. It has so much to share and people that love animals would highly enjoy this book.
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