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First West Coast Books #4
Raven Squawk, Orca Squeak
With bright and bold illustrations by celebrated Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers, this sturdy board book introduces iconic sounds of the West Coast and supports the language development of babies and toddlers. From the “geek geek” of the eagle, to the creak and rustle of cedar branches in the wind, to the sacred drumming of a potlatch and the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean, the rhythmic text, vibrant illustrations and glossy tactile finish of Raven Squawk, Orca Squeak will delight the very youngest readers.
20 pages, Board Book
Published June 13, 2020
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
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April 28, 2022I really loved
A Is for Anemone
, so when I learned it was 5th in a series, I eagerly got the other books in the series. Alas, I did not like any of them as much as A Is for Anemone -- though they're not bad.
Fourth in the series, this is (obviously) about the sounds of the West Coast of what is now widely called Canada.
Much like the animals book, this doesn't feel to me like it has much of a flow. The page pairs tend to have a shared vibe, and sometimes that vibe continues over multiple pages, but it mostly just feels like a collection.
The full text of the book:
The book closes with "Hands Clap / Drummers Beat boom, bang, pound // with Nature Singing all around." We have seen humans throughout the book -- sometimes as actors (e.g. "Skaters glide") and sometimes just part of the scene (as in e.g. "Big waves crash"); though after being very present in the first half of the book, they're largely absent for an extended period of time -- but this closing set of pages explicitly links humans to the natural world as only one part of nature's song. The final two-page spread has multiple animals with multiple sounds (12, in fact). The human drummer is also a very young child, which is nice as well.
Fourth in the series, this is (obviously) about the sounds of the West Coast of what is now widely called Canada.
Much like the animals book, this doesn't feel to me like it has much of a flow. The page pairs tend to have a shared vibe, and sometimes that vibe continues over multiple pages, but it mostly just feels like a collection.
The full text of the book:
The book closes with "Hands Clap / Drummers Beat boom, bang, pound // with Nature Singing all around." We have seen humans throughout the book -- sometimes as actors (e.g. "Skaters glide") and sometimes just part of the scene (as in e.g. "Big waves crash"); though after being very present in the first half of the book, they're largely absent for an extended period of time -- but this closing set of pages explicitly links humans to the natural world as only one part of nature's song. The final two-page spread has multiple animals with multiple sounds (12, in fact). The human drummer is also a very young child, which is nice as well.
February 6, 2021
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsno...
RAVEN SQUAWK, ORCA SQUEAK is a gorgeously illustrated board book that explores a bit of nature through texture, sounds, and bright colors. The book contains simple lines such as "Rivers rush, whisper, splash," that bring simple concepts and sounds to nature and the world around. Each page also contains some texture to the images and writing, with some features being raised off the board book.
What I loved: This book is illustrated by an Indigenous artist, and it is absolutely stunning. Each page is filled with colors and beautiful images. This is a lovely book just to look through. The phrasing is perfect for infants and young toddlers with simple phrases and sounds that they will enjoy. A really unexpected and cool feature is the texture on each page, in the illustrations and text, that also make it fun to touch. It is barely noticeable when just looking at the images, but easy to feel when little fingers are run across the pages. It adds just that extra something cool for young children to enjoy.
The font is also nice and large, making it easy to read, and the pages can move quickly for short attention spans. With the board book format and bright colors, this is perfect for the youngest of readers.
Final verdict: RAVEN SQUAWK, ORCA SQUEAK is a delightful board book that combines beautiful illustrations with simple phrases, sounds, and texture. Perfect for infants and young toddlers.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
RAVEN SQUAWK, ORCA SQUEAK is a gorgeously illustrated board book that explores a bit of nature through texture, sounds, and bright colors. The book contains simple lines such as "Rivers rush, whisper, splash," that bring simple concepts and sounds to nature and the world around. Each page also contains some texture to the images and writing, with some features being raised off the board book.
What I loved: This book is illustrated by an Indigenous artist, and it is absolutely stunning. Each page is filled with colors and beautiful images. This is a lovely book just to look through. The phrasing is perfect for infants and young toddlers with simple phrases and sounds that they will enjoy. A really unexpected and cool feature is the texture on each page, in the illustrations and text, that also make it fun to touch. It is barely noticeable when just looking at the images, but easy to feel when little fingers are run across the pages. It adds just that extra something cool for young children to enjoy.
The font is also nice and large, making it easy to read, and the pages can move quickly for short attention spans. With the board book format and bright colors, this is perfect for the youngest of readers.
Final verdict: RAVEN SQUAWK, ORCA SQUEAK is a delightful board book that combines beautiful illustrations with simple phrases, sounds, and texture. Perfect for infants and young toddlers.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
January 11, 2021
Another beautiful and delightful board book by Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd. This is the third one theirs that I have read and they just keep getting more and more beautiful and meaningful. This is another book for all ages of people and a beautiful tribute to the beauty and history of the West Coast of Canada!!
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March 6, 2021A gorgeous board book with lightly textured illustrations by Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers. Rhythmic text emphasizes the sounds found on the West Coast of Canada: thunder booming, big waves crashing, paddles swooshing, ravens squawking, orcas squeaking, and more. Add this one to your board book collection.
January 8, 2023
Gorgeous short rhyming book for young children and babies. The artwork also features texture in some of the words and illustration details. The Indigenous artwork is wonderful. This book would make a great gift, especially for those who like the West Coast of Canada or Turtle Island. I can see myself reading it a lot to my son.
March 16, 2021
Pretty!
April 23, 2021
I love this concept with lots of beautiful and unique sounds to act out.
June 22, 2021
Rhyming board book filled with nature's sounds and gorgeous illustrations.
June 29, 2021
West coast sounds in a board book. Lovely illustrations by the Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers.
July 17, 2021
Beautiful art
February 22, 2022
This is a perfect example of what happens when rhyming poetry works in a picture book. Children will love the bright illustrations and the sounds that nature makes.
February 1, 2023
Toddler likes this. He's started doing the animal noises with me when we read it to him. 🥰
October 23, 2023
A lovely book that, unfortunately, S wasn't into. It has lots of "sounds" but he wasn't interested the couple times I tried reading it
November 16, 2023
Well crafted, with beautiful illustrations and textures. Excellent read for fans of the west coast.
April 2, 2024
I call this book “drum” but also sometimes “hockey” because those are my favourite pages. Mama takes my finger and taps it to a beat on the drum page.
November 14, 2024
Engaging pictures, raised to touch
January 10, 2025
Beautiful depiction of both Indigenous culture and nature!
February 18, 2025
Gorgeous illustrations. High quality printing. Textures.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews