Animals Work

I Like to Read

by Ted Lewin

Animals herd, carry, pull, and even . . . keep us company! This nonfiction, easy-to-read picture book transports readers from an open field to a desert to a snowy tundra as animals of all kinds perform some very important work. The book ends with an endearing role reversal as a young boy gives milk to his cat, reminding readers that just as animals help people, people in turn can help animals. This book teaches readers about the variety of work animals and depicts the give-and-take of human/animal relationships. A map is included. Guided Reading Level C.

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Nonfiction, Picture Books

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Bethe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked this up for the border collie on the cover. While I appreciate the map of diverse locations for the different working animal locations, there's just not much to this book.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at several animals used as beasts of burden in several settings.

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This easy reader is from the Holiday House “I Like to Read” series which is meant for children in early childhood through first grade. The story of how animals help humans by doing important work is illustrated with Ted Lewn’s beautiful water color artwork on pages larger than typical easy reader series.

The simple text will be non-threatening in complexity to most new readers and the illustrations certainly make the text more accessible. Also adding to the success of this title, are materials included on the end pages of a world map with the location of each animal placed with a number. The number is used in a key system to tell the place of origin and on what page the animal can be found on. The map and key are appropriate for introducing map skills to this beginning reader age group.

Upon further discovery in super fine print on the last page of the book there is mention of Holiday House’s website for more materials related to the books in this series. The website contains a wealth of items like flash cards and other educator materials for this series. The bonus materials are very nicely done and would be a great extension of the story for working on word recognition and meaning. My only wish was that this link was advertised in larger print so it is not missed by educators and parents.

I would recommend this book and series for any school or public library looking for readers on the easiest level for their collection.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review for SWON Libraries.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

He just took photos and used a drawing program to convert them, but kids can still learn from it.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lewin, who has illustrated over100 children’s books, draws on his travels to exotic places such as Egypt and Lapland, in depicting a variety of work animals performing. For example, a horse carries a cowboy, but then there are camels carrying loads across the desert and a donkey transporting burdens in Morocco. Then an Irish donkey pulls loads, as do reindeer in Norway and oxen from India and goats in America! Work animals from across the globe are identified by country on the endpaper (which includes a map) at the back of the book. This slim volume offers a wonderful springboard for a discussion of working animals. Children will find a surprising amount of detail in Lewin’s watercolor illustrations and will return to examine these time and again.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short sentences--usually two to three words--provide the simple text for this surprisingly expansive book. A horse carries. Camels carry. A donkey carries. As each sentence paces across the page Lewin's remarkable watercolors show scenes from around the world with animals working and caring for people. The ending, with a child caring for his cat, shows that animals care for us, and we reciprocate. An easy reader, the book offers many opportunities for discussion. Beginning readers will enjoy it both for its simplicity of expression, and for the beauty of its artwork.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The watercolor artwork was pretty and had a retro feel--it reminded me of something I would have had as a child.

None of the "jobs" depicted in this book necessitates the animal's death, and some of the animals, such as Border collies, have been bred to enjoy the work they do. However, as an animal advocate, I can't say I wasn't a bit uncomfortable to see the promotion of animals as burden-hauling vehicles and tools to human ends.

[Merrilyn Tucker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not care for this illustrated, short sentence book about animals working. First of all, I think that the author could have varied his vocabulary about work ("carry" was used three times and "pull" four times). Secondly, the last two pages which feature a boy and his cat have nothing to do with animals working. The illustrations are beautiful, drawn from animals that Lewin has seen in various parts of the world, but the book does not hold together at all and is not enjoyable to read.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great easy/early reader for kids that love animals and want to see all the ways that they help humans. It also illustrates how we rely on the animals in a variety of areas and how we need to be kind to them, always. 3 stars

[Yvonne Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An I Like to Read book for beginning readers. Animals Work has simple text that is multicultural. At the end of the book is a map of where animals in the book are found. A great introduction of text features to young readers.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and appealing for younger beginning readers.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple book that is accessible to very young children because each sentence only contains a few words. The pictures are lovely and intricate, which makes them fun to look at.