Chipmunk Song

by Joanne Ryder

A lyrical description of a chipmunk as it goes about its activities in late summer, prepares for winter, and settles in till spring.

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 16, 1987

About the author

Joanna Ryder is an award-winning author whose books offer a unique blend of poetry and science. Her innovative Just for a Day series invites children into the world of wild animals, ranging from a sea otter to Tyrannosaurus rex. Ms. Ryder says, "Children know that my books often ask them to imagine being a different creature. So they always ask me which animal I would choose to be. I'd be a flying one, I tell them. Or if I could, I'd wish for wings. And I've discovered children would love wings, too. But which ones to choose? I wrote Rainbow Wings to help us decide." Ms. Ryder lives in Pacific Grove, California.

-taken from www.balkinbuddies.com

Reviews

[Brigitte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the unique perspective the author chose for the narrative-- the story is told in the second person in song-like phrasing/poetry, with the narrator speaking directly to the reader as if the child is a chipmunk! "Imagine you are someone small/sleeping on a bed of leaves/ in a cool, dark room/ underground./Wake up, small one."
The illustrations are rendered in gorgeously articulated detail, with a perfect balance between realism and whimsy that matches the observational nature of the story wonderfully.

[Kaela Nieto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry, cute, imaginative

This book follows a chipmunk through its daily life as it prepares for hibernation. The story is told through the chipmunk’s perspective. It invites the reader to imagine what life would be like as a little chipmunk.

The author uses free verse poetry to tell this story. There are many poetic elements throughout this book. There are many examples of figurative language such as similes and onomatopoeia. These elements add life to the verses. This book is a great book to introduce poetry to young children.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story follows a chipmunk as it prepares for the long winter. As seen through a child's eye it shows how the chipmunk collects and stores acorns in its burrow, and how it makes a nesting area for the long winter period underground. Beautiful art work, and drawings on the pages.

[SonataReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put yourself into the life of a chipmunk!!! Gorgeous illustrations, gender-neutral human child,lush nature. Loved it!

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the gorgeous illustrations by Lynne Cherry, but I wish this had been written more straightforwardly, instead of as what YOU would do if YOU were a chipmunk.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

AR 3.9

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations grace a sweet, simple story.

[Lisa Huninghake · Rating 4 out of 5]

My students enjoyed this story of life from a chipmunk’s perspective. They could see and imagine how it would feel to be a chipmunk and it was a perfect fit for our first grade unit on mammals.

[Beverlee Jobrack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and scientific!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read this to the kids yet. This would be a fabulous book the pair with /Under the Snow/ by Melissa something. I could have used this book when I was required to teach first grade and second grade about food chains, predators, prey etc. in science in Sept. Even though the topic is nonfictional, the story is told in a fictional style, which I like. Small children seem to love to pretend to be animals, and this book invites them to do just that. In Guatemala, there are two seasons (wet and dry), rather than four, so information about hibernation and the cycle of the seasons might not be that relevant or relatable to children here. The illustrations are so gorgeous rich and lovely.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Joanne Ryder's books about animals. One of my favorites is Mockingbird Morning which captures my childhood experiences perfectly. I found this book to be less successful at immersing me in a nature experience though the side-by-side illustrations of a chipmunk and a chipmunk-sized child were beautifully done. The story was neither fantasy nor reality, it couldn't decide if it was observing or experiencing.

Still, a nice glimpse underground into chipmunk land.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed a book that felt exactly like this last night, as I read to my daughter. Something about the quiet of it, the way the words are small and subtle enough to not feel so whangy, so all-over-the-place. The illustrations are sweet--a child is a chipmunk too, in this book, and allows enough for some questioning from my four-year-old daughter, but was more of a nice soother.

[Kelly Whelchel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Science Grade 2 Fiction Topic: habitat

Use this book to talk about the outside environment. Good use with props and sounds. Walk thru this book while working with the props and sounds that you mights find in an environment.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A common bedtime favorite about a chipmunk & a child imagining being a chipmunk...4 yo loves it.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story for the preschool set describes the seasonal activities of a chipmunk with naturalistic illustrations tweaked by depiction of a small child also engaging in the chipmunk's doings.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading Rainbow: The Salamander Room

Loved the illustrations.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the girl in this book, I frequently imagine building a nest of leaves underground, curling up in my cozy bed and hibernating all winter.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes:
little girl the size of a chipmunk explores the world side-by-side

[K.C. Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story that creates an easy relaxing mood. The pictures are cozy and warm. My children asked for it again and again.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

The predators (hawk, weasel) never seem to succeed in their hunting. Kind of unrealistic.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of a child imagining she/he is a chipmunk. Lovely nature illustrations.