Mama Dug a Little Den

by Jennifer Ward, Steve Jenkins (Illustrations)

This companion to Mama Built a Little Nest explores the many different kinds of dens animals build for their babies.

Perhaps you’ll come across a den,
dark and deep and wide.
And it will make you wonder…
Who or what might be inside!

There are so many different kinds of dens that mother animals make for their babies, from desert burrows to snow caves to elaborate underground tunnels. Jennifer Ward introduces young readers to all sorts of animals and the cozy burrows they call home.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 21, 2018

About the author

Jennifer Ward is the author of more than 25 award-winning nonfiction and fiction books for children and adults.

Her books have been translated into many languages and featured in Martha Stewart's Living, Ranger Rick, on NPR, television's Animal Planet network, and on many popular blogs such as Soule Mama.

Most of Jennifer's books are inspired by science and nature and artfully combine elements of STEM & literacy.

She writes full-time from her home in Illinois where she lives with her husband and two dogs and is easily distracted by everything outside of her windows - particularly if it has feathers!

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and educational. For very young children, you could simply read the rhymes as a story, but with slightly older children you can add in the brief educational factoids that accompany each spread. Nicely done. I would add that it appears to be mostly (exclusively? I I think so) North American animals here, (fox, toad, beaver, squirrel, platypus, polar bear, gila monster, prairie dogs, tarantula, skunk, bobcat, armadillo, rabbit, and a sea turtle) so if you are looking for a different focus this probably won't be the best book for you. Small criticism that the book doesn't provide any maps as to where these animal habitats are located.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

The collage art on the pages of this book is a wonderful choice for the depiction of how animals, especially those whose tasks are maternal and protective when the season turns from cold to colder to most cold of all. . . what to do with the little bodies nature has gifted the world and placed in your paws, claws, legs, flippers? You go down, digging below Earth's surface and make a den, a home, cave, cavern, burrow. . .a place where the cold stays above. A place where everyone squinches together and shares warmth, time and security.

A perfect read for October.

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enchanting rhyming book with some wonderful scientific bits of animal information.

[Linnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

delightful children's book

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells about many animals that dig dens. It could be a great read aloud just for the story , but there is non-fiction text on each page that tells more. It could be a double reading after kids ask questions about the 1st reading.

The illustrations remind me of Eric Carle in the way things are cut out, but they contain earthy colors.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mama Dug a Little Den by Jennifer Ward, illustrated by Steve Jenkins. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Press (Simon & Schuster), 2018 $18. 9781481480376

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This text pairs a rhyming, rhythmic portion with an informational piece for each animal and their den habitat. The spread includes one animal type, a rhyming portion that is four sentences long, and one paragraph explaining the den in detail. The illustrations are made from a collage of textured papers.

I thought it was interesting to learn about the female role with these animals, but other than that it was kind of a boring read. I don’t think it will hold most students’ attention spans unless you are doing something deliberate with it - an art project on recreating an animals habitat, for example. The other option is just to read a few animals at a time to spark interest for animal reports.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this companion book to Mama Built a Little Nest, the story explores the many animals who build dens to protect their babies. The book offers rhyming couplets as the main part of the story but each animal also has facts included on the page. These facts include how long the babies stay with their mothers, how the dens function and how the animals are fed while in the den. There are mammals, toads, lizards, spiders and many more on these pages, each with a unique den of their own and interesting reasons for having them.

Ward has selected a broad range of animals to highlight here. Her poems are jaunty and clever, the rhymes never feeling forced. The facts she shares are brief, pertinent and fascinating, just what you need in a picture book format. As always, Jenkins’ art is exceptional. He captures small details and interesting habitats with his cut paper collage that introduces texture to the illustrations as well.

Curl up in your own den to share this with your own baby animal. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Luciana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great introduction to animals who live in a den!

The book starts off with a little poem in the top left hand corner of each page, so this would be a great way to introduce poetry to a young child. Then, it gives factual information about why the animal the page is about uses a den. And finally, both pages have great illustrations of the animals the page is about.


It is a must read & could be incorporated into many themes and a lot of discussion. A great read for young children.

[Bridget Neace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative and, of course, I do love Steve Jenkins' illustrations. However this reminded me of why I didn't *love* reading "Glow: Animals With Their Own Night-Lights." Every page has both simple and rhyming text on it (in a larger font) AND more complex words (in a smaller font) that give the reader more information about the particular animal featured on the page. One would almost need to read it twice through--once reading only the simple/rhyming words and then again for the more complex counterpart.

[Carol V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Ward talks about a variety of animals and how the mama prepares a den and other similar nests for her young. This is a nice addition to an animal collection in any library or location that young children gather. The collage-type illustrations are very realistic and complimentary to a variety of world environments. A Note from the Author provides further learning and ideas at the back of the book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how this was broken down so that it could be read on different levels for different readers; you could read just the main text or dig a bit deeper (haha, see what I did there?) and read the smaller text for a richer understanding.

Great illustrations, and cool words to learn ("hibernaculum"..."tent for winter quarters" from the Latin! Now don't you feel smart, you smarty-smart person, you?!).

[YeseniaI · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderfully illustrated book is perfect for students in k-3. I liked the rhythmic pattern that perfect for beginning readers. Each page also provides more detailed information about animals that hibernate in dens. It is also a perfect book for developing oral language while students learn about animals.

I found is book on the website, https://www.cbcbooks.org/readers/read.... A read aloud was found on YouTube.

[Drew Feren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Mama Dug a Little Den tells the readers about mother animals and their dens while giving facts along the way. Each page has two pieces of text. The simpler text explains what is happening in the illustrations on the page. The other piece of text is more complex and gives specific information about the animals on said page. This book is useful for more than one content area. Obviously, it can be used in a reading class, but it can also be used in a science class.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent picture book explaining animals that use dens or burrows. Illustrations are wonderful as well with bold images and colors. Each page contains a short rhyme fun for reading, but also an additional paragraph listing factual information about the animal and den in uses.

Highly recommended.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good resource book about animals and why they dig dens or holes for their families survive for many reasons. Non Fiction with lots of sidebar information and colorful illustrations of fox, toad, beaver, squirrel, platypus, polar bear, gila monster, prairie dogs, tarantula, skunk, bobcat, armadillo, rabbit, and a sea turtle. The illustrations are big and colorful, too.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Jenkins' illustrations are always wonderful, but I especially enjoyed these "family portraits" this time around! The verses rhymed and shared a bit of information on each animal. We didn't get the chance to read the non-fiction text, but I'm hopeful that will happen during a future read-through.

[Deidre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice mix of poetry and science. Each animal gets a four line poem starting “mama dig a little den” nice mix of animals with many that aren’t the usual subjects of children’s books. Foxes, toads, beavers, squirrels, platypus, polar bear, Gila monster, prairie dog, tarantula,skunk,bobcat, armadillos, rabbits, sea turtles.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations of the dens and their inhabitants, skillfully rendered with vibrant colors and various textures. The depictions of the Gila monster and the sea turtle are particularly amazing. The dual narrative provides simple rhymes for wee ones and detailed scientific descriptions for more experienced readers. Perfect for story time and science lessons.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short simple rhymes introduce a variety of animals that make dens. An additional paragraph in a smaller font takes the interested reader farther into facts about each creature. Steve Jenkins' signature illustrations fill the pages. Appropriate for preschool and up. Use for fall, hibernation, winter tie-in.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is brilliant. Steve Jenkins artwork is as spectacular as only his work can be. Jennifer Ward's text is written in two parts. Each two page spread features the den of a different animal. At the top of the page is a poem about the animal's den. At the bottom is a nonfiction paragraph with more information.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poems on each page and a brief paragraph of information. Each two page spread shares information about an animal that uses/builds a burrow as a home.
Don't miss the Notes from the Author on the last page. She provides information on spotting dens where the reader lives.

[Mary Luzader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Animals live in lots of different homes. This book shows a brief glimpse of homes for several animals. Each animal has a short 4 line rhyme then additional information about the animal and their home. It could easily be read as a sweet bedtime story or in more detail for inquiring young readers.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and illustrated! Mamma dug a little den... short, sweet verse for each animal's den and a quick, easy to understand explanation of each animal and it's den. Perfect for both the poetic heart and the scientific mind.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Nest better. I love Steve Jenkins's art. Kids like this book and Nest better when I skip the animal facts and pause after each poem/rhyme with a slideshow of maps and real photographs of the animals/birds. It's then that I can paraphrase Ward's fact boxes.

[Tompkins County Public Library Youth Services]

More nature joy from the Jennifer Ward and Steve Jenkins duo in Mama Dug a Little Den. You can rhyme it, you can sing it, but however you present it, your child will learn a lot about burrowing animals - and love it!

[Tracy Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

My toddler and I love this book, which can be read in any order depending on what animal your child wants to look at! A great book for snuggling with a tiny kid, or for older kids, to enjoy as they learn about animals at home or in school.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely blend of picture book narrative with informative blurbs on each animal's den. Steve jenkin's artwork is stellar.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A BEAUTIFUL story about moms and all the dens they dig. Half the book is written in rhyme about the mothers and their children. The other half is facts about each animal and they dens they make.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Various animals and their uses for dens. There are brief facts about the animals also.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hadley kept asking where the daddies were. LOL