Each Living Thing

by Joanne Ryder, Ashley Wolff (Illustrator)

This poetic celebration of animals large and small reminds us that while some creatures are cuddly and companionable, others can be ferocious, helpless, or shy. No matter how creepy, slimy, mean, or odd an animal might seem, they all need us to be considerate of them. As a day moves gently from morning to night, a variety of children interact with--or keep a respectful distance from--creatures in their natural environments. Ashley Wolff's luscious, exquisitely detailed illustrations and Joanne Ryder's lyrical text inspire a sense of wonder at the animal world around us. •An acclaimed nonfiction author and the illustrator of the bestselling Miss Bindergarten series collaborate for the first time • Children's Book-of-the-Month Club selection • A poetic lullaby that celebrates relationships between children and animals and also addresses fear of animals

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2000

About the author

Joanna Ryder is an award-winning author whose books offer a unique blend of poetry and science. Her innovative Just for a Day series invites children into the world of wild animals, ranging from a sea otter to Tyrannosaurus rex. Ms. Ryder says, "Children know that my books often ask them to imagine being a different creature. So they always ask me which animal I would choose to be. I'd be a flying one, I tell them. Or if I could, I'd wish for wings. And I've discovered children would love wings, too. But which ones to choose? I wrote Rainbow Wings to help us decide." Ms. Ryder lives in Pacific Grove, California.

-taken from www.balkinbuddies.com

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book that uses colorful illustrations and a narrative that is more poetry than prose to highlight the beauty in nature and the importance of being kind to all living creatures. It's almost as much a book on philosophy as anything.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book that encompasses the message we hope to send with humane education--living things are all around us. Be thoughtful. Be watchful. Be respectful.

[Katherine Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells about different animals. It tells what they do and how to act towards them. I really like this book! The illustrations are beautiful and the wording flows very well. I especially love how it encourages to be mindful and kind to animals. I would use this book I a day care room for children from one year to three years.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is amazing

[Whole And · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple yet meaningful encouraging observation and care of all forms of life.

[Annie MacPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good message, nice illustrations

[Katlin Sims · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book emphasizes how beautiful and special all animals can be in their natural habitats. It also talks about how important it is for us as human beings to look out for and help take care of them. Some animals, like snakes, jellyfish, alligators, bears, and cougars, can be dangerous. It is very important to watch out for these kinds of animals and respect them by giving them lots of space and not invading their territory. Other animals, like frogs, ants, sea turtles, and bats are usually not dangerous to humans, but humans can be dangerous them if we are not careful. Animals are a part of the world and it is important that we respect and take care of them however we can. This would be a great book to use to make text to world connections about nature, conservation, wild animals, and our responsibilities to take care of the earth.

[David]

How to Kill a Living Thing

Neglect it
Criticise it to its face
Say how it kills the light
Traps all the rubbish
Bores you with its green

Continually
Harden your heart
Then
Cut it down close
To the root as possible

Forget it
For a week or a month
Return with an axe
Split it with one blow
Insert a stone

To keep the wound wide open

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute, and short, story reminding us about all the animals we come in contact with everyday. It reminds us to take care not to harm them, to be wary of some, and to share our earth with them. Each page is short, about 10 words or less, but the message is important and I really enjoyed the illustrations.

This book would probably best be enjoyed by younger kids, ranging from ages 4-6.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book with a tremendous ecological focus, this is a simple plea by the author for people to mindful of the natural world that surrounds them, to learn to appreciate without damaging it, and it works. Good for a read aloud length and excellent if you need something to read around Earth Day.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked. Good for Garden House environmental appreciations. Loved phrase, "be aware" because usually children are taught to "beware" of nature.

My notes.
Illustrations make it not high priority for school purchase.

[Amanda Hively · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for students about being mindful of there they are and where they step. There are animals everywhere! It has just enough information to keep young readers interested and learning.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

book not only shows a number of different animals in their environments through detailed and attractive illustrations...it also shares the message to be careful of and respect all living things.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures, lyrical words. I love it. Let's take care of all the living things around us!

[Onn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for younger kids. About a sentence per page about different animals on earth.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations cover all sorts of ecosystems and teach children about being nice to animals.

[Heather Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

COMMON CORE, NON-FICTION, JUVENILE, NARATIVE TEXT, NONFICTION

- Picture Book
- Toddler-First Grade
- Great Pictures of Animals

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes:
Wolff's illustrations make this book
not a huge fan of the 'be wary of...' pages
overall message is to care, be aware and protect creatures
simple rhyming text

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Celebrates the creatures of the earth, from spiders dangling in their webs to owls hooting and hunting out of sight, and asks that we respect and care for them.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Ashley Wolff's paintings.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celebrates the creatures of the earth, from spiders dangling in their webs to owls hooting and hunting out of sight, and asks that we respect and care for them.

[Cmfzebra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the tide pool with crabs.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I warm-fuzzy book that reminds us to be respectful of all living things.

[Kenneth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't take the world around you for granted. Learn as much as you can about the world. This book can help introduce the some of the world to your youngsters. Basic illustrations anyone can recognize.

[Paige Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each Living Thing is a book that can be read to children starting from birth. The pictures in the book are so bright, big, and easy to understand. The words on the page are minimal and the text is large.
The book talks about living things on the Earth that children should become familiar with and understand. It talks about plants and their habitats as well as animals and their habitats.
This type of book gets children familiar with common living things around them in different environments or settings they may not be familiar with or have not experienced. It

[Grace DeBaltzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used to teach living/nonliving things in Kindergarten