Chipmunk Secrets: Fiston, the funny little chipmunk, shows you their secrets!

by Lieve Snellings, Tina Gianoulis (translator)

Have you ever wondered what it's like to have cheeks like a chipmunk, where food stashes can rival a treasure trove? Join Fiston, the funny little chipmunk, on an extraordinary journey into the enchanting world of these adorable, cheeky rodents."In this captivating non-fiction story for children, you'll discover the secrets of these adorable striped rodents. Fiston's eyes will allow you to experience everything from their curious eating habits to the thrill of scurrying up trees and seeking refuge in cozy burrows.With simple text and stunning photographs on every page, this picture book brings the existence of chipmunks to life before your very eyes.Don't miss the chance to introduce your children to the world of chipmunks. Embark on this incredible adventure now and join Fiston as he takes you on a whimsical exploration of these charming creatures.The world of chipmunks awaits!Editorial Review 1:What a delightful book about chipmunks!I have many chipmunks in my yard but I learned so much from this book that I didn't know.Lieve Snellings's wonderful photographs are clear and detailed, with beautiful close-ups. There is easy-to-understand information about the types of chipmunks found worldwide and their scientific names. Each photo has interesting text that describes a bit more about the appearance, lifecycle, and habits of the chipmunk.New vocabulary is introduced and explained well. I love the illustration of how chipmunks dig their burrows with all the hidden "snack rooms".This book is sure to appeal to children of all ages who love animals and all those interested in knowing more about the natural world.I love this book!Nancy Rose, author/photographer/illustrator of « The Secret Life of Squirrels » series. Editorial Review 2:«Chipmunk Secrets» appears as a very pleasant and educational book. The photos are extensive and diverse, covering all aspects of chipmunks (ground squirrels). The author, Lieve Snellings, has gained a significant amount of knowledge from following chipmunks for a considerable amount of time. It also shows her love for the subject, which is certainly a plus.Young readers will appreciate the well-integrated texts and visual information in the illustrations.The idea of integrating Fiston's character into the world of chipmunks is a good idea, as it directly involves the readers in the story.In general, I am very impressed with this book.Great job, Snellings!Niki Colemont, world-renowned squirrel photographer. Winner of the 2022 National Geographic Photography Competition and Winner of the 2023 European Photography Prize.

Genres: Childrens

37 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2023

About the author

Lieve Snellings is a retired freelance photographer/author who lives in Leuven (Belgium).

Her series of picture books/children's books, featured with whimsical photos illustrations of wildlife, 'Stories of Groundhogs, Squirrels and Chipmunks' consists of five books, available in Dutch, English, and French:
1) Margot Gets an Unexpected Visit
2) Groundhog Secrets
3) Time for Margot to Go to Bed
4) Why We Wear a Mask
5) Chipmunk Secrets

Lieve Snellings is a Multi-Awarded children’s book author:

‘Why We Wear a Mask’
– Winner of the Gold Medal in the Readers’ Favorite Book Award 2021, category Children’s non-fiction
– Winner Kidlit World Book Award 2021 in the category children’s non-fiction
– Finalist the 2021 IAN (The Independent Author Network) Book of the Year Awards

‘Time for Margot to Go to Bed’ has been honored as
– A Book Excellence Awards Finalist 2020 in the Animals/Pets category
– Honorable Mention Readers’ Favorite Book Award 2020
– Finalist IAN Book of the Year Award 2020

‘Groundhog Secrets – Everything You Always wanted to Know about Woodchucks’
– The winner of the TopShelf Book Award 2020 in the category Children / Animals.
– IAN (The Independent Author Network) Book of the Year Award 2018:
– Reader’s Favorite Book Award 2018

‘Margot Gets an Unexpected Visit‘
– BookGoSocial Top Voted Children’s Author 2017
– Readers Review Room Author of the month of October 2017


Her images illustrated many books, magazines and were published online. Her photos were shown in exhibitions all over the world.

Since 2008, after meeting up with her partner who lives in Quebec, you can find her for about 5 months a year in Canada. There she became a passionate nature photographer. She spent hours, weeks... Observing wildlife and searched every info she could find. This and her imagination made her publish three children's books in which photos are as important as words.

Her stories take the traditional picture book experience and transform it by replacing illustrations by her own nature photography. The books are written in her mother tongue Dutch and translated in English and French.

Reviews

[Grandma Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and resource. I always love to learn. This book had so many interesting facts about chipmunks. The photographs were amazing. Highly recommend,

I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you, NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

[Ink_Drinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chipmunk Secrets is an utterly delightful peek into the woodland world of Fiston, the most charismatic chipmunk you’ll ever meet.

Lieve Snellings blends playful storytelling with vibrant nature photography, creating a book that feels both magical and wonderfully real.

Fiston’s “secrets” are shared with a wink and a sense of mischief, making the experience feel like a private tour guided by a tiny comedian. It’s warm, funny, and full of heart.

It's a perfect read for anyone who loves animals, whimsy, or simply being reminded of the joy tucked into everyday nature.

[S.A. Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four Point One Stars
Neat Informative read! Through Fiston the little Chipmunk, we get to learn of interesting facts about the life of chipmunks and the photographs of ‘Fiston’ throughout the book were cute. Informative and interesting read for older kids.
Thank you for the eARC Netgalley.
Review also found at:
https://ok-readingcorner.blogspot.com...

[B. Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most children today are familiar with the mischievous animated chipmunks that sing Christmas songs and star in delightful Alvin and the Chipmunk films. Fiston and his family show us a different side, a realistic depiction of their daily life, and their importance in our natural environment.
The photographs are beautiful, though not as whimsical as Snellings’ other books. There are loads of facts about these little wood creatures - recognized by their puffy cheeks full of food and handsome striped coat - where they live and how they have evolved into a variety of species known in different parts of the world.
Children who love nature will be well educated and gain a healthy respect for wildlife in this latest addition to Snellings’ series of award-winning books on groundhogs, squirrels and chipmunks. Make space on your child’s bookshelf for this one.

[Darya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could I pass by a book about squirrels without grabbing it? Obviously not. This is basically a small encyclopedia about chipmunks, combining the author’s photos with key facts about the species’ life. The author is from Belgium, but the book is clearly oriented toward a North American reader, as it familiarizes the audience with the Eastern chipmunk, a species inhabiting the eastern parts of the U.S. and Canada. It might be a good present for someone interested in nature in general and squirrels in particular (be ready for the person you give this to as a gift to infodump on you about all the details of how chipmunks relate to other squirrels and whatnot).

Thanks to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book through NetGalley. The opinion above is entirely my own.

[Annette Spratte · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book this is! It certainly helps that chipmunks are so cute, but the photographs illustrating the interesting facts presented here are absolutely brilliant.
It's informative and a great joy to look at over and over.
I can't imagine anyone not loving this book.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read along while Fiston shares Chipmunk facts with you. This book is packed with facts and would be a perfect reference for any Chipmunk related projects or reports. There are colorful photographs and illustrations that coordinate with the information on every page. And how cute is it that Fiston the chipmunk is the narrator.

[Kelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about chipmunks. I learned somethings about them. I did not how many species there were in the world.

[Marianne Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable educational book with bright colorful images, making it a fun learning experience for young readers around the world.

[C.J. Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I cracked open 'Chipmunk Secrets,' my heart couldn't help but melt at the sheer cuteness of Fiston. But this wasn't my first encounter with this endearing little character; Elvis and I had met him before. Lieve possesses a remarkable storytelling ability that has evolved from her nature photography, seamlessly transitioning into the world of books.

While nature photography inherently tells a captivating story, Lieve has taken those stunning visuals and woven them into children's books. These books offer young readers the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature from an early age. Just imagine a world where children can learn about the wonders of the natural world through the pages of books, not through illustrations, but through actual photographs taken in the wild.

That is the magic of Lieve's books, and I eagerly anticipate each new release.

The characters in Lieve's stories are incredibly well-rounded, almost as if they reveal themselves to her whenever emerging from their hidden nooks. I can vividly picture Fiston and his pals gathering around Lieve when she brings her camera. It's truly remarkable how these creatures seem to have a unique story to share every time she captures a photograph. The special bond that has blossomed over the years between Lieve and her subjects is beautifully portrayed in the narrative, and it's a tale that deserves to be told.

What makes this bedtime story so exceptional is that it isn't a work of pure imagination; rather, it reflects the genuine friendships that exist in nature. You can see this bond in the photographs and feel it in the eloquent words that grace the pages. 'Chipmunk Secrets' is undoubtedly a must-have for every child's nightstand. It promises not only a good night's sleep but also dreams that will inspire a bright and beautiful day ahead.

[Farah G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable book features a number of interesting and cute photographs of chipmunks doing their thing, and packs in a lot of Chipmunk-related information along the way.

I was so interested to learn that female Chipmunks are larger than makes, and that they are all so amazingly light. I strongly approve of the number of snack rooms in the home!

Having the "story" told by a Chipmunk narrator was absolute genius. I think it will help to keep the children's attention fully engaged, because they are basically making a new friend in Fiston.

I also enjoyed the choice of font, and found it easy to read. I think the book will appeal strongly to the target age group.

Finally, I love the fact that the book will give children the opportunity to engage with nature through an animal that they actually have a chance of seeing in their day-to-day lives!

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent enough, this is part of a series of books that on this evidence present a wonderful gallery of photos, with speech bubbles overlaid for the animals to introduce themselves. This one, Fiston, is quite scientific for a little critter, and manages to tell us all we might want to know about chipmunks, from the litter size to diet to burrow layout and so much more. The pictures are well chosen, and combine in fine manner with the text, which is never an ordeal to read, so this is pitched at primary school audiences and will definitely appeal to them. Probably only of use in the countries that naturally have chipmunks, as opposed to worldwide, this is still four stars.

[G C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was packed with interesting information about chipmunks! I think it would be perfect for any library, school or home.

The photographs were beautifully done and will help kids really connect with the subject. I hope the author considers more books about squirrels and blue jays and various other small animals we share our neighbourhoods with!

This book is great for young and old. I chose it because of the chipmunks I feed in my backyard and loved seeing the pictures and learning all of the new information.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Wanda Luthman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chipmunks are more than just cute

This book was so educational! I think chipmunks are so cute but I seldom see them in Florida. This book is a great tool to use with children to teach them about chipmunks without being boring or even feel like they are being taught because it’s entertaining also. The real photographs are what set this book above others. The pictures are great and depict what the author is describing.

[Sally Wilsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chipmunk Secrets by Lieve Snellings

Everything you wanted to know about Chipmunks and more.
Fiston the chipmunk takes you on an adventure to learn about chipmunks.
I think the most surprising fact for me was that there are 25 different species of chipmunks and their incisors grow continuously.
The photography of this book is done very well and goes well with the story.
This book is good for the school library and the budding animal lover in the family.

[Nik.The.Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just too cute! The author does a great job of making an informational book fun, full of "secrets" about Fiston, the sweetest little chipmunk. The pictures are adorable, and I learned so much about chipmunks right along with my students! Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Getting to know all about these little guys with the beautifully done photography on every page was so fun and informative! I thank Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read and review this delightful book.

[Kim Territo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have chipmunks in my yard and I absolutely love them! Haven’t seen much of them this winter, so seeing these gorgeous pictures of them made me smile. Also learned stuff I didn’t know about them. Looking forward to spring when they reappear!

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

Cute pictures illustrate chipmunks and all their interesting features and habits. A good book for kids interested in the animals that are in their own backyards.

[Kerrific Kerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book about a creature most of us know from our own homes. Chipmunks are silly and your children will love learning more about them in this book.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an ARC courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley

Cute way to learn some interesting facts about chipmunks.

[Katlin Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

My two children really liked this book! I loved how informative it was about chipmunks, like how they live and where they come from.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Chipmunk Secrets: Fiston, the funny little chipmunk, shows you their secrets!" is an ambitious children's non-fiction book that aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of these charming creatures. Although the intent is commendable, the execution leaves something to be desired.

First and foremost, the font choice in this book is truly unique – or should we say, bold. Comic Sans, with its playful and slightly quirky appearance, may appeal to some young readers. However, it's important to note that the readability may be an issue for others. The pages are filled to the brim with information, often making it hard to decipher the text from the illustrations. A simpler font choice might have made the reading experience more enjoyable and accessible for its intended audience.

The book is packed with facts, and it's evident that the author has done their homework. From the chipmunks' habits and habitats to their diet and life cycle, there's no shortage of information. Unfortunately, the excessive amount of text on each page may overwhelm some young readers. A more concise and engaging narrative could have made the learning experience much more enjoyable.

One aspect of the book that stands out is the colourful and detailed photography. The chipmunks come to life on the pages, and their expressions and movements are beautifully captured. Young readers will appreciate these visual aids, which help to break up the otherwise dense text.

On a positive note, the author's enthusiasm for chipmunks is clear and infectious. They genuinely want to share the wonders of these furry creatures with their audience, and the love for the subject matter is evident on every page. This passion may help to engage young readers who are particularly interested in wildlife and nature.

In conclusion, "Chipmunk Secrets: Fiston, the funny little chipmunk, shows you their secrets!" is a valiant effort to educate young readers about these delightful creatures. The choice of Comic Sans and the text-heavy format may not be to everyone's liking, but the book's heart is in the right place. With some simplification and a more reader-friendly font choice, this book could reach its full potential and better serve its target audience. If you're willing to sift through the text, you'll find a wealth of information about chipmunks that's sure to appeal to budding naturalists.

[Tiffany Seward · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐ Children’s Book | Animals | Educational Fun

Thank you to BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Chipmunk Secrets: This is a playful nature book that follows Fiston the chipmunk as they share bite-sized “secrets” about chipmunk life. The dedication is sweet and sets a sweet tone right from the start. The book features high-quality photographs of chipmunks paired with descriptive text against a white background that reminds me of a thought bubble.

Fiston guides readers through each page, offering a few cute and genuinely interesting facts about chipmunks and their behavior. Overall, Chipmunk Secrets is an adorable and educational introduction to chipmunks, perfect for young readers who love animals or for anyone who enjoys learning something new through friendly storytelling.

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher/Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.


Back in 2022 I read Groundhog Secrets which was quite a fun book to read and so when I spotted this one on Netgalley (plus read a fellow blogger’s review) I knew I wanted to read this one as well. I hope that it was just a bit less monotone.

In this one we meet a little chipmunk called Fiston who is going to tell us all about being a chipmunk . From that they were called that because of the sound they make (which I didn’t know), different names for them in the world (including the adorable Wood Tigers) to how female chipmunks sing a song when they want to mate (cute) to much more. This isn’t a big book but it is packed to the brim with delightful and fun facts. And I have to say I learned a lot of things! I knew some things, but a lot was new to me which is always a delight.

Unlike the other book we only learn about chipmunks in this one. There are maybe 1 or 2 facts about other squirrels, but that is it. I definitely wouldn’t minded more squirrel facts though.

Each fact (or facts if the page has more than one) is accompanied by adorable photographs of chipmunks. I love that the quality of the photographs was high (at least for almost all of them). I have read several other children non-fiction ARCs that had the worst quality, so I was greatly enjoying this one. I almost reached out a few times to give the little one a pet.

But the monotony stayed. It was just fact after fact with cute photograph after cute photograph. I was hoping that we would get to see Fiston going on adventures and then learning all about the little critter as the story continued. I probably won’t be picking up the next book if one releases, unless something changes.

Still, I had fun with this book, I learned a lot, and I went awww quite a lot of times as I read. I would still recommend it, just don’t expect a story, it is all facts.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/