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Nature Storybooks
Platypus
Meet the puzzling platypus! A lively narrative and engaging illustrations follow a fascinating creature that defies categorization.
There it is, a giant duckbill emerging from a burrow. But this animal has fur — and walks low to the ground, with claws and a wide, flat tail like a beaver. When it swims, it looks like a miniature crocodile, and when faced with threats, it keeps its snakelike venom at the ready. And did you know that the female platypus lays eggs? Follow a most unusual mammal as it leaves its home and travels through the night, gliding past wallabies and evading a hungry fox — hurrying, scurrying, always busy, always looking for a meal!
There it is, a giant duckbill emerging from a burrow. But this animal has fur — and walks low to the ground, with claws and a wide, flat tail like a beaver. When it swims, it looks like a miniature crocodile, and when faced with threats, it keeps its snakelike venom at the ready. And did you know that the female platypus lays eggs? Follow a most unusual mammal as it leaves its home and travels through the night, gliding past wallabies and evading a hungry fox — hurrying, scurrying, always busy, always looking for a meal!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2014
67 people want to read
About the author
Sue Whiting
53 books45 followersA former primary school teacher with a special interest in literacy education and children’s literature, Sue Whiting has worked in the publishing industry for almost twenty years, both as an author and editor of books for children and young adults.
Sue has written numerous books in a variety of genres: fiction and nonfiction, picture books through to YA, and is published in Australia and internationally. Her middle grade novel Get a Grip, Cooper Jones and nonfiction picture book, Platypus were both named CBCA Notable Books, and her picture book, A Swim in the Sea, illustrated by Meredith Thomas, was the Speech Pathologists’ 2014 Book of the Year. Her latest books include, Missing a mystery/suspense novel for readers aged 10+ and the picture book Beware the Deep Dark Forest, illustrated by Annie White.
Sue was Publishing Manager and Senior Commissioning Editor at Walker Books Australia for ten years, before leaving in 2016 to concentrate on her writing and to work from home as a publishing consultant, freelance editor, writing coach and mentor.
Sue has written numerous books in a variety of genres: fiction and nonfiction, picture books through to YA, and is published in Australia and internationally. Her middle grade novel Get a Grip, Cooper Jones and nonfiction picture book, Platypus were both named CBCA Notable Books, and her picture book, A Swim in the Sea, illustrated by Meredith Thomas, was the Speech Pathologists’ 2014 Book of the Year. Her latest books include, Missing a mystery/suspense novel for readers aged 10+ and the picture book Beware the Deep Dark Forest, illustrated by Annie White.
Sue was Publishing Manager and Senior Commissioning Editor at Walker Books Australia for ten years, before leaving in 2016 to concentrate on her writing and to work from home as a publishing consultant, freelance editor, writing coach and mentor.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 22, 2016
Excellent model text- use of descriptive writing, adjectives, verbs, adverbs etc.
October 25, 2016
This book is illustrated with painterly, realistic art in muted tones. The narrative follows a platypus as he moves about his environment, defining words and focusing on his unusual attributes. The tone is comfortable, easy to read and understand. An interesting introduction to the platypus for elementary age.
March 27, 2017
This book captures this beautiful native Australian animal in all its beauty, the Platypus. 'Hurrying. Scurrying. Always moving. Always busy. Always looking for a meal. Platypus is perpetual motion – never still.' These poetic words capture the life of the mysterious platypus, who reside in their freshwater dwellings hiding in their burrows on the banks.
As you turn each page, you discover that in the murky waters lie little surprises like dragonflies that I see from the corner of my eye, the bats that are hanging from trees and a Yabby crawling in the shallows. True to their nature you barely notice the platypus as it peaks the very top of its bill above the water before it begins moving again foraging for food.
The illustrations are indescribable, unique and beautiful to the eye. Mark Jackson appears to have used a certain palate of colours which are almost camouflaging and further respects the true nature of the platypus habitat. The illustrator was the perfect choice for this book.
This beautifully and factually correct book can be used in two ways, as a non fiction information source and as a story book. The large words are more poetic and designed to be read in the form of a story, and, the smaller words are read as prose. The information is not only factual but gives some history and a key date that explains the first and somewhat disbelieved sighting of this unique animal.
The writer has captured the rare beauty that the platypus is and clearly respects and understands this animal and has the right words to share this with the reader. I appreciate that the author has given a short but thorough write up at the back of the book aptly titled The Puzzling Platypus. This title reminds you of how remarkable the platypus is, very few are seen in the wild but when you do spy the shy monotreme it is a magical moment.
I agree with the age recommendation for this book of 5 and above. There are some tricky words which even the 5 year old will find hard to understand and some of the topics in the book may require further conversation with the younger reader. The book is a wonderful source of learning and a book that would make a much loved one on one read.
You can find my review on my blog at https://littlebigreads.com/2017/03/22...
I received this book from the publisher Walker Books in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect the content of my review.
As you turn each page, you discover that in the murky waters lie little surprises like dragonflies that I see from the corner of my eye, the bats that are hanging from trees and a Yabby crawling in the shallows. True to their nature you barely notice the platypus as it peaks the very top of its bill above the water before it begins moving again foraging for food.
The illustrations are indescribable, unique and beautiful to the eye. Mark Jackson appears to have used a certain palate of colours which are almost camouflaging and further respects the true nature of the platypus habitat. The illustrator was the perfect choice for this book.
This beautifully and factually correct book can be used in two ways, as a non fiction information source and as a story book. The large words are more poetic and designed to be read in the form of a story, and, the smaller words are read as prose. The information is not only factual but gives some history and a key date that explains the first and somewhat disbelieved sighting of this unique animal.
The writer has captured the rare beauty that the platypus is and clearly respects and understands this animal and has the right words to share this with the reader. I appreciate that the author has given a short but thorough write up at the back of the book aptly titled The Puzzling Platypus. This title reminds you of how remarkable the platypus is, very few are seen in the wild but when you do spy the shy monotreme it is a magical moment.
I agree with the age recommendation for this book of 5 and above. There are some tricky words which even the 5 year old will find hard to understand and some of the topics in the book may require further conversation with the younger reader. The book is a wonderful source of learning and a book that would make a much loved one on one read.
You can find my review on my blog at https://littlebigreads.com/2017/03/22...
I received this book from the publisher Walker Books in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect the content of my review.
July 13, 2022
An informational picture book about the life, habitat, and characteristics of a platypus.
This is artfully illustrated with just the right amount of text. It might be a touch long for some of the more squirrelly littles, think more K-3rd. There's a paragraph of text on each spread in one larger font, and then a lower paragraph in a different slightly smaller font that has some more intricate details that can be left off if needed. Curious little readers will want all the details, and I found the smaller font content often had the more interesting facts about platypus. The artwork is worth a look at all on its own. It is a unique style, but it still portrays the animals and habitat realistically enough that kids will be able to recognize a real platypus from these illustrations. Definitely recommended for Australian units, monotremes units, animal lovers, and curious readers.
This is artfully illustrated with just the right amount of text. It might be a touch long for some of the more squirrelly littles, think more K-3rd. There's a paragraph of text on each spread in one larger font, and then a lower paragraph in a different slightly smaller font that has some more intricate details that can be left off if needed. Curious little readers will want all the details, and I found the smaller font content often had the more interesting facts about platypus. The artwork is worth a look at all on its own. It is a unique style, but it still portrays the animals and habitat realistically enough that kids will be able to recognize a real platypus from these illustrations. Definitely recommended for Australian units, monotremes units, animal lovers, and curious readers.
August 30, 2017
Platypus is packed full of interesting information about a very strange animal, but the book never feels like an informational text. The rich lyrical descriptions of the animal and habitat are accompanied by sidebars providing scientific details. The platypus’s world comes alive in the illustrations and language as the author slowly reveals the features of this puzzling creature and follows it through its day. Several other “Nature Storybooks” are available in the series as well.
May 17, 2018
A beautiful book about a fascinating creature. Australian illustrator Mark Jackson brings the platypus alive in his impressionistic earth tone illustrations. A great read with A Platypus, Probably by Sneed Collard.
January 25, 2019
Excellent writing. Great for developing sophisticated vocabulary.
June 17, 2024
A good book about a Platypus with a great art style.
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April 9, 2016There are animals native to very specific places regardless of climate. Polar bears are only found in the Arctic regions. Their counterparts, penguins, are only seen in the southern hemisphere. The Galapagos pink land iguana is native only on Wolf volcano, Isabela Island, labeled as critically endangered. Within the moist mountain areas of Venezuela lives the pebble toad; named for its unique defense strategy of folding its body into a ball and rolling away from predators.
Within the continent of Australia are a wide variety of fauna found nowhere else in the world. Most but not all marsupials make their home there. Platypus (Candlewick Press, February 23, 2016) written by Sue Whiting with illustrations by Mark Jackson presents a fascinating look at an astonishing creature.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
Within the continent of Australia are a wide variety of fauna found nowhere else in the world. Most but not all marsupials make their home there. Platypus (Candlewick Press, February 23, 2016) written by Sue Whiting with illustrations by Mark Jackson presents a fascinating look at an astonishing creature.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
June 12, 2016
I learned facts that I didn't know about the platypus, like that it is venomous and toothless. I would have loved to see a diagram of these "stiff plates inside their bills", and in general, I was wishing that the illustrations were clearer, providing more detail. I was also bothered that the two different fonts were not quite distinct enough, setting one apart as narrative and the other as factual information. Still, much good information to be learned from this book. I suggest reading the note at the back--"the Puzzling Platypus" first, to cover some basic information and to provide context. Also provides an index so that children can look up specific details about the platypus.
March 18, 2016
A marvelous book about a marvelous creature! Sue Whiting takes the reader through a busy night with a male platypus as he forages, grooms, evades a fox, and finally returns to his den to rest. The engaging lyrical prose is accompanied by clear factual text that conveys a plethora of information about platypuses, including all the ways that their biology is so unusual. The earth-toned illustrations by Mark Jackson reinforce the quiet, captivating mood. A delightful book to share aloud with youngsters, ages 5-9, or for them to use for research.
June 14, 2018
This is like a wonderful nature program on TV with a narrator doing voice-over. Love the information. The watercolor art totally fits the odd character and setting. My only nitpick is that I wish the two fonts were more distinct. For leveled text, they are too similar. Other than that, wow. The verbs. The voice. Fabulous.
"Night settles in. Frogs croon to the starry sky. Thirsty wallabies appear at the creek edge to drink. Under the cover of darkness, Platypus rides the current, performs back flips, rolls over and over and over."
"Night settles in. Frogs croon to the starry sky. Thirsty wallabies appear at the creek edge to drink. Under the cover of darkness, Platypus rides the current, performs back flips, rolls over and over and over."
August 5, 2016
Narrative text tells the story of a day in the life of a male platypus. The female is mentioned briefly, but also in the backmatter.
Other than the backmatter, on only the page with the wallabies do we get a hint of which continent the platypus lives on.
Wide spreads on slightly over-sized pages show the animal's activities in greenish-brown tones.
Other than the backmatter, on only the page with the wallabies do we get a hint of which continent the platypus lives on.
Wide spreads on slightly over-sized pages show the animal's activities in greenish-brown tones.
April 24, 2016
I learned quite a bit about this unique animal through the double-page spreads that contain both a narrative tale of a platypus' day and also a section informative text. This is a great addition to the animal collection for student researchers.
July 12, 2016
I tried to read this to my daughter but she was definitely NOT interested. So I finished reading the book myself. The information in this book is interesting but I was not fond of the illustrations. This book would be best suited for school-age children.
October 28, 2016
Great format for 1-3 grade nonfiction readers. Describes a day in the life of the platypus, accompanied by short text facts related to the narrative on each page. Criticism: Don't tell readers to look up the words from the index in a dictionary; include a glossary for them.
May 21, 2015
Who knew that platypuses were not only adorable but fascinating?
Want to read
July 14, 2015As seen on Science Book a Day: http://sciencebookaday.com/2015/07/14...
February 5, 2016
Good introduction to one of nature's oddest critters.
February 26, 2016
This is a great opportunity to learn about the creature that fascinates observers and puzzles scientists. Kids will love the platypus and want to know more.
April 22, 2016
Full of interesting and bizarre facts about the platypus (e.g. they're an egg-laying mammal, and the males are venomous).
August 8, 2016
Interesting book about an interesting animal. The information was appropriate for young kids and the pictures are really pretty.
August 13, 2016
Beautiful illustrations accompany this story that follows the day in the life of the very puzzling/unique platypus. Informational text is also provided. Nice source material for a beginning report.
August 20, 2016
A lovely interplay between lyrical text and factual information.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews