The Wild World Handbook: Creatures

by Andrea Debbink, Asia Orlando (Illustrator)

Packed with real-life tales of adventure, breathtaking illustrations, and practical tools, this handbook is an inspiring guide for the next generation of climate activists, conservationists, and nature lovers.

We share this incredible planet we call home with countless living creatures, from butterflies and falcons to koalas and dolphins. And just like us, animals everywhere are faced with the growing threat of climate change.

Featuring seven categories of creatures, this handbook offers a roadmap for change and an invitation to explore the outdoors with fascinating facts, hope-filled stories, and hands-on STEAM activities. Each chapter highlights the biographies of scientists, artists, and adventurers from diverse backgrounds who have used their passion and skills to become courageous advocates for animals around the world.

The second book in a middle-grade series for young activists and conservationists, The Wild World Handbook: Creatures empowers readers to appreciate and protect Earth’s wildlife.

Inside you will find:
• Seven incredible categories of creatures
• Fourteen inspiring biographies
• Seven kid-friendly DIY activities
• Seven fun field trips
• And much more!

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle Grade

192 pages, Paperback

Published November 2, 2021

About the author

I'm a writer, editor, and habitual daydreamer. Before I became a full-time author, I spent nearly a decade as an editor at American Girl where I specialized in creating imaginative nonfiction content. Today I write books for children and adults. I believe that a good book can change a life—and the world.

Reviews

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This handbook is an excellent resource for school-aged children. Not only does it contain very well-researched and well-cited facts and stories, scientific information about several 'creature' categories, and so on, it also contains interesting, well-documented and easily explained projects for children to create on their own, such as building bird-houses and toad habitats, sculpting a coral reef, creating an insect "collection" (using only photographs), and a "Ways to Care" section about things kids can do in their own communities to aid wildlife, like growing pollinator plants, making windows safe to avoid bird-strikes. There's even a section about one of my generation's earliest conservationists - Steve Irwin, TV's "Crocodile Hunter" and co-founder of The Australia Zoo with his wife Teri and children Bindi and Robert Irwin.

The Wild World Handbook: CREATURES is a really excellent, all-around picture and activity book. Fun for adults too! Next week, I'll review The Wild World Handbook: HABITATS.

[Beary Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 5
I absolutely loved reading “The Wild World Handbook: Creatures” by Andrea Debbink. Filled with history and facts about creatures that are beautifully expressed and explained. The author did a great job of simplifying everything for kids to understand without losing crucial details. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. This book is sturdy and will hold up to kids taking it with them on their adventures. Even though this book is marketed for kids, it’s actually a great way for an adult to get into understanding the planet and the creatures we share it with. Honestly, a lot of what I read in this book I had no idea about before reading.

This book is filled with little interactive activities for the kids. So, not only do they get to read a book about different species but now they get to have an activity that relates to it. This is great because it introduces a place for them to ask more questions or spark a bigger interest in this area of study. Not to mention, this makes doing a storytime activity around this book so much easier because you can choose an activity directly from the book itself.

I love the ‘Ways To Care’ section because after finding out what I did I wanted to know how I could help make a difference. This section is perfect for kids because it shows them that even though they are one person they can still change what they're doing to help everything for the better. Also, what I like is the ‘Ways to Care’ are easy changes or steps that anyone can do. They are not ridiculous or over the top but instead smaller things that go a long way for helping your environment and the creatures that live in it.

*Thank you Quirkbooks for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource book to share with young folk in your life. Is international which messed with my mind a bit when I first opened it randomly and on the left page was the DIY section to build a Toad Abode (to care for your vulnerable toads) and on the adjoining page was the biography section for The Crocodile Conservationist: Steve Irwin. Quite weird for us Aussies who have a massive feral pest problem with imported Cane Toads. Just a minor but weird issue.
Still great publication with so much information

[Kerry Crabbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divided into seven categories of creatures, the Wild World Handbook is packed full of information for learners of all ages. Each section contains biographies of individuals influential in that field, DIY activities, field trip ideas, action points for making a difference, and more! And there are facts and information to keep kids learning for a long, long time.

This handbook is broken up in a way that makes sense and keeps the reader engaged. Flowing from facts to biographies to action points, it kept me wanting to search out more and keep learning. The activities were do-able and the information was interesting without being overwhelming. I learned so much reading through this one and I know my kids will love it as well. This would make a nice addition to any homeschool or a wonderful gift for animal lovers.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Carlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this book - it definitely surpassed my expectations for a book about animals! It sets the standard for what fact books should be - this is inspiring, educational and fascinating. What a wonderful book to give as a gift to a child! Parents and educators will learn so much from this too!

Split into 7 different categories (insects, birds, reptiles & amphibians, land animals, ocean creatures, freshwater life, and city wildlife), each section included biographies of significant people in that area, a natural wonder, a story about an animal, ways people are helping, a field trip, how people can help, and an activity. The mixture of information presented was really interesting and different to other books I've seen in this category.

I would highly recommend this for any child (or adult!)

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

[Atul_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrea Debbink had done a good job, so is Asia Orlando. It's an astonishing handbook in all aspects. Every piece of information was so clear and direct. It's fun and bright. It is just so luxurious that with this book on hand it can take you everywhere and make it so easy for you to do more digging.

To top it all, it's incredibly inspirational. Going into the brief life stories of those impressive human beings just give us all a push that with dedication, passion, determination and strong-willed to give something beneficial to the world, prove to be a starting point for many awesome continuations and found that we can see today.


Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy. Editor, please take note of the year of death on page 40. It should be September 22, 1948, not September 22, 1848.

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geared for middle grade readers who are into animals, nature, and wildlife. Divided into seven sections of various animal groups: insects, birds, reptiles and amphibians, land animals, ocean creatures, freshwater life, and city wildlife. Each section has a couple of biographies, a DIY, stewardship ideas, and a field trip suggestion. The biographies do a good job of having people of color and many females. Most of the DIY, stewardship, and field trip ideas seem easy to do with little or no adult assistance. The entire world is nicely illustrated and colorful. The book is light on animal information and stories, but the book seems focused on encouraging activism in children and just learning information about them.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling introduction for older kids to earth's ecosystems, this book provides both great activities to learn from and short introductions to people who studied or worked in these environments. Meet Junco Tabei, the first woman to climb all Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each continent, and Cristina Mittermeier, the marine photographer, both of whom were environmental activists! Also, learn how to create a desert or rainforest biome at home, how to create leaf art, where to select native plants to grow at home and how to be a field biologist. You will feel more empowered, curious and hopeful after reading this book. Get it for everyone from 3rd - 7th grade that you know!

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It includes short biographies of influential scientists and conservationists, animal facts, engaging activates, and (my favorite) suggested organizations and resources encouraging the reader to start their own journey towards protecting earth's animals. The book was well organized and contained interesting information for readers of all ages. A good starting point for anyone interested in animal conservation. I read an ARC (advanced reader's copy) and I liked it so much I gifted it to a young reader excited to learn more about the world.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Short engaging sections with facts, biographies, and activities.
The conservation/science heroes in this book are:
- Maria Sibylla Merian
- Rachel Carson
- Florence Merriam Bailey
- Elizabeth Gould
- Joan Beauchamp Procter
- Steve Irwin
- Beatrix Potter
- George Melendez Wright
- Dr. Eugenie Clark
- Jamal Galves
- Tomas Diagne
- Autumn Peltier
- Deja Perkins
- Dora Nightingale

[DiKrLa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Nice balance of exploring the different species of animals and their ecosystems, highlighting environmentalists from the past and present, suggesting fun ecological activities, and motivating children to help the save animals.

[Kay-Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The graphics are exquisite!

This non-fiction about the incredible animals in the world seems like a fairy tale. Beautifully written and full of simple, fun activities for kids to do to appreciate the world around them

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Source: Quirk Books for review

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every bit of this fascinating book, from the featured scientists to the animals to the activities. I want to read every book in this series.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and interesting.
Both my daughter and I read this.
Highly recommend as a gift for children who love science.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book! Great illustrations, maps, information, activities, and more. All ages will appreciate this colorful handbook.

[A. N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting stories and fun ideas for activities for families. Not fact checked and too much misinformation.

[Renee]

DNF

[Jimi-carol Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this to my children!