Lizards for Lunch: A Roadrunner's Tale

by Conrad J. Storad, Beth Neely (Illustrator), Don Rantz (Illustrator)

Roadrunners are speedy, fearless, and when they do take time out from ruling the desert scrub lands and meadows they call home, they enjoy a tasty snack of... lizards? It's true! The aptly titled Lizards for A Roadrunner's Tale provides you, the reader with a glimpse of the world as it is known to the speedy roadrunner. Far from the cartoon character many people are familiar with, the life and habits (eating and otherwise) of the roadrunner are accurately depicted in this book though a witty rhyme and fantastically vibrant illustrations. You will see something new each time you adventure into this book and the roadrunner's world. And you will gain an appreciation for not having the uncertain life of a lizard, or as the roadrunner would see you - as lunch!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Science, Animals, Nature

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Clay Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very good way for young readers to learn about roadrunners. Watched a reading of this book on Youtube.

[☆Brittany☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute & gruesome, just what I like!

[Lillia Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the book ,Lizards for Lunch, we read about the life of a roadrunner who is trying to catch his lunch. It is repeated throughout that a hungry roadrunner likes lizards for lunch. But as we continue on with the story we find out more about the roadrunners life. Such as the roadrunners appearance, eyes, wings and break. They repeat that they also eat bugs, crickets and beetles and how they eat and catch their food. The book overall explains in depth what the daily life of a roadrunner is. They run fast and have many traits that benefit them like their “keen eyesight” to help them catch their lizards for lunch.

The book is completely paper, square looking and has lots of bright colors that are in every page. The roadrunner is depicted as much bigger than the rest of the characters because it is both the main character and the predator. They use a sketch technique that makes it look easier to see the images and show the detail in the roadrunner. This book I think kids will like a lot because of both the bright and detailed pictures and the rhyming words all throughout the entire story. Kids will also make connections just to being hungry because the author makes the roadrunner sound funny while talking about how hungry it is.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snip, snap, crackle, munch....we really like reading "Lizards for Lunch". I grew up in Arizona and love the desert and all its beauty, so I am trying to pass that on to my children these days. This book teaches kids about the life of roadrunners - what their bodies look like, what they eat, why they run. The illustrations are realistic, with a touch of whimsy. My 5 year old son really likes it, because of the fat, chewy lizards that dangle from his mouth. Not scary, not patronizing.

[Esmeralda Manzano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizards for Lunch is a really interesting book, while reading your not only learning what a roadrunner eats but it also rhymes, making the book more enjoyable to read to kids. I think that boys would really like this book because the Roadrunner actually eats the lizards. This a good book to use if you are going to be talking about the desert as an introduction to the subject.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizards for Lunch is a delightful AND educational tale for children, which I thoroughly enjoyed as an adult reader! I got this book for my young granddaughters (ages 8 months & two years,) who can't help but enjoy both the rhyming verse and the colorful illustrations. A WONDERFUL storybook!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

A day in the life of a roadrunner.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the rhyme in this book about this interesting bird. Some of the pictures are kind of funny, but Nakyla really likes this book.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humorous children's tale about the roadrunner and his daily routine in his natural habitat.

[Amy Mccarty]

#*12/10/13MD