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Armadillo Antics
Join the Armadillo on His Nightly Romp!
Children will love the rhythm and rhyme that are hallmarks of the beloved author duo of Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 as they follow the adventurous armadillo through nighttime fun as dawn approaches.
Children will love the rhythm and rhyme that are hallmarks of the beloved author duo of Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 as they follow the adventurous armadillo through nighttime fun as dawn approaches.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 26, 2022
3 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Bill Martin Jr.
210 books376 followersBill Martin, Jr. (1916-2004) was an elementary-school principal, teacher, writer, and poet. His more than 300 books, among them the bestselling classics
Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See
;
Polar Bear Polar Bear What Do You Hear
;
Panda Bear Panda Bear What Do You See
; and
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
, are a testament to his ability to speak directly to children. Martin held a doctoral degree in early childhood education. Born in Kansas, he worked as an elementary-school principal in Chicago before moving to New York City, where he worked in publishing, developing innovative reading programs for schools. After several years, he devoted himself full-time to writing his children's books. He lived in New York until 1993, when he moved to Texas. He lived in the east Texas woods, near the town of Commerce, until he passed away in 2004.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/billma...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/billma...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 26, 2022
Reviewed from a PDF ARC.
A well-intended effort that misses the mark.
Fourteen 2-page spreads of quatrains list activities an armadillo might do from sundown to sunrise in this picture book for preschoolers. Backmatter consists of one page of generalized "Armadillo Facts".
"Co-written" by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson, this picture book lacks the charm, intent, and twist found in many of Martin's works published before his death in 2004 (such as Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Doubleday, c1967). At times, the poetry is awkwardly written (ex. "All except the armadillo,/on the prowl/at the sound of the timber/wolf's mournful howl."), others have forced rhyming words (ex. leap/feet) or while others are singsongy when read aloud (ex. "Armadillo, Armadillo, Armadillo, MIGHT, dressed in armor like a knight."). Except for the first three stanzas, it is a formula/pattern that grows tedious by the end: "Armadillo, Armadillo, Armadillo, _____, _________, ________. This includes the final line. There is no storyline thread, no action or tension to excite readers, as the focus of most of the book is on a verb that is used with the armadillo: run (three times), leap, dig, grin, look, flee, eat, rest - the exception is the odd word "might". (Growing up in Louisiana, I never heard an armadillo described as "mighty" or having great physical strength. Come to think about it, I have never heard that an armadillo can "grin" either.) The book comes to an abrupt end when the armadillo is in its burrow.
Several inaccuracies and other not-quite-right statements are found in the text:
"...grin; your little brother looks like your twin." - While some armadillos in the world are born as identical twins or larger number multiple births, Nine-Banded Armadillos indigenous to the the U.S. always give birth to identical/same sex quadruplets. An armadillo sibling would not have a "little brother" twin.
"...look; or you mat fall into the brook." Armadillos can be excellent swimmers when needed, often holding their breath several minutes just to walk under water in order to cross a stream.
"...flee; you've just met an angry bee" - Why is the bee angry? Female bees do not sting unless their nest is disturbed or they are either stepped on or pinched. Several pages earlier, the armadillo's legs are seen as it leaps up in the air, above a bee. If these two stanzas had been on consecutive pages, this stanza would have made more sense.
"...rest; have sweet dreams inside your nest." Armadillo habitats/homes are correctly identified as "burrows" - not nests.
Backmatter is a one-page diagram with eight facts about armadillos, all loosely related to the text in the book. (I'm still wondering about what his "might" is - perhaps his snout that is "strong as steel"?) These facts add very little knowledge about them. It would be more interesting to learn that while only one species of armadillo is found in the U.S., there are 21 species in the world; several are now endangered species. The images in the backmatter are rendered digitally, so do not feel it goes with the rest of the book. Additionally, these armadillos are shown as anthropomorphic, which does not match the tone of the book. Not including quality backmatter is a lost opportunity to share beginning research and facts with youngest children.
Mixed media artwork including collage by Nathalie Beauvois is often reminiscent of that of the late Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert (who illustrated many of Martin's books), however she maintains just enough difference to make this artwork stand apart as her own. The cover armadillo is the most beautiful illustration of all. Beauvois does an admirable job of showing the range of diversity in coloring and body shapes/sizes of armadillo species found throughout the world. Too much white space was left in this book set at night - even under a full moon. I had to keep reminding myself that armadillos are nocturnal animals.
Skippable. Optional for PreSchool.
A well-intended effort that misses the mark.
Fourteen 2-page spreads of quatrains list activities an armadillo might do from sundown to sunrise in this picture book for preschoolers. Backmatter consists of one page of generalized "Armadillo Facts".
"Co-written" by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson, this picture book lacks the charm, intent, and twist found in many of Martin's works published before his death in 2004 (such as Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Doubleday, c1967). At times, the poetry is awkwardly written (ex. "All except the armadillo,/on the prowl/at the sound of the timber/wolf's mournful howl."), others have forced rhyming words (ex. leap/feet) or while others are singsongy when read aloud (ex. "Armadillo, Armadillo, Armadillo, MIGHT, dressed in armor like a knight."). Except for the first three stanzas, it is a formula/pattern that grows tedious by the end: "Armadillo, Armadillo, Armadillo, _____, _________, ________. This includes the final line. There is no storyline thread, no action or tension to excite readers, as the focus of most of the book is on a verb that is used with the armadillo: run (three times), leap, dig, grin, look, flee, eat, rest - the exception is the odd word "might". (Growing up in Louisiana, I never heard an armadillo described as "mighty" or having great physical strength. Come to think about it, I have never heard that an armadillo can "grin" either.) The book comes to an abrupt end when the armadillo is in its burrow.
Several inaccuracies and other not-quite-right statements are found in the text:
"...grin; your little brother looks like your twin." - While some armadillos in the world are born as identical twins or larger number multiple births, Nine-Banded Armadillos indigenous to the the U.S. always give birth to identical/same sex quadruplets. An armadillo sibling would not have a "little brother" twin.
"...look; or you mat fall into the brook." Armadillos can be excellent swimmers when needed, often holding their breath several minutes just to walk under water in order to cross a stream.
"...flee; you've just met an angry bee" - Why is the bee angry? Female bees do not sting unless their nest is disturbed or they are either stepped on or pinched. Several pages earlier, the armadillo's legs are seen as it leaps up in the air, above a bee. If these two stanzas had been on consecutive pages, this stanza would have made more sense.
"...rest; have sweet dreams inside your nest." Armadillo habitats/homes are correctly identified as "burrows" - not nests.
Backmatter is a one-page diagram with eight facts about armadillos, all loosely related to the text in the book. (I'm still wondering about what his "might" is - perhaps his snout that is "strong as steel"?) These facts add very little knowledge about them. It would be more interesting to learn that while only one species of armadillo is found in the U.S., there are 21 species in the world; several are now endangered species. The images in the backmatter are rendered digitally, so do not feel it goes with the rest of the book. Additionally, these armadillos are shown as anthropomorphic, which does not match the tone of the book. Not including quality backmatter is a lost opportunity to share beginning research and facts with youngest children.
Mixed media artwork including collage by Nathalie Beauvois is often reminiscent of that of the late Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert (who illustrated many of Martin's books), however she maintains just enough difference to make this artwork stand apart as her own. The cover armadillo is the most beautiful illustration of all. Beauvois does an admirable job of showing the range of diversity in coloring and body shapes/sizes of armadillo species found throughout the world. Too much white space was left in this book set at night - even under a full moon. I had to keep reminding myself that armadillos are nocturnal animals.
Skippable. Optional for PreSchool.
April 28, 2022
4/27/2022 Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
4/28/2022 My children all went through a stage of obsession with Bill Martin Jr's Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. I didn't really understand it from reading the words flat on the page, but when they started singing it to me (particularly the Crystal Taliefero version,) I finally got it.
A similar thing happened with Armadillo Antics. Tho Bill Martin Jr passed in 2004, Michael Sampson builds on his legacy with this short book, incorporating the kind of rhyme structure used in Mr Martin's other famous work, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?. Again as with that latter, I didn't really understand the rhyming scheme/point (as a fast reader, even as a child, I tend to go for content over sound) and was ready to write this book off as another book I was sure would be popular though I didn't see the appeal myself... until I recruited my 8 year-olds to come read this for me.
And wow, did those kids love this book! The escalating beat of the "Armadillo, Armadillo, Armadillo" refrain in particular was a favorite, with the kids providing their own chant-like emphasis when reading aloud to me. I almost feel as if they learned by osmosis here, as the rest of the informative text was something they read over mostly in order to be able to get to the next Armadillo x3 instance. Tho in fairness, their ears definitely perked up at the mention of twins. After all, who doesn't like seeing themselves represented in books, even in animal form?
Nathalie Beauvois' art is superb throughout. Using what looks to be a mix of collage and gouache, her fine art aesthetic speaks to me more readily than the other art of the Bill Martin Jr oeuvre. But that doesn't make it at all inaccessible to kids either: the very kinetic illustrations draw kids in to explore the details of each page, and make it easy to ask questions that reinforce both vocabulary and numeracy throughout.
The page on armadillo facts at the end is also very cute, with the armadillos drawn in a more cartoon-y style that feels like a natural progression from the rest of the book. I definitely appreciated the informative page, tho my kids -- while enjoying the cartoons -- wanted to go back and read the main book again from the beginning. Overall, I'd say this is a win for encouraging zoological interest in a manner kids will love, while also highlighting some truly beautiful, stylized artwork.
Armadillo Antics by Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson & Nathalie Beauvois was published April 26 2022 by Brown Books Kids and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!.
4/28/2022 My children all went through a stage of obsession with Bill Martin Jr's Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. I didn't really understand it from reading the words flat on the page, but when they started singing it to me (particularly the Crystal Taliefero version,) I finally got it.
A similar thing happened with Armadillo Antics. Tho Bill Martin Jr passed in 2004, Michael Sampson builds on his legacy with this short book, incorporating the kind of rhyme structure used in Mr Martin's other famous work, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?. Again as with that latter, I didn't really understand the rhyming scheme/point (as a fast reader, even as a child, I tend to go for content over sound) and was ready to write this book off as another book I was sure would be popular though I didn't see the appeal myself... until I recruited my 8 year-olds to come read this for me.
And wow, did those kids love this book! The escalating beat of the "Armadillo, Armadillo, Armadillo" refrain in particular was a favorite, with the kids providing their own chant-like emphasis when reading aloud to me. I almost feel as if they learned by osmosis here, as the rest of the informative text was something they read over mostly in order to be able to get to the next Armadillo x3 instance. Tho in fairness, their ears definitely perked up at the mention of twins. After all, who doesn't like seeing themselves represented in books, even in animal form?
Nathalie Beauvois' art is superb throughout. Using what looks to be a mix of collage and gouache, her fine art aesthetic speaks to me more readily than the other art of the Bill Martin Jr oeuvre. But that doesn't make it at all inaccessible to kids either: the very kinetic illustrations draw kids in to explore the details of each page, and make it easy to ask questions that reinforce both vocabulary and numeracy throughout.
The page on armadillo facts at the end is also very cute, with the armadillos drawn in a more cartoon-y style that feels like a natural progression from the rest of the book. I definitely appreciated the informative page, tho my kids -- while enjoying the cartoons -- wanted to go back and read the main book again from the beginning. Overall, I'd say this is a win for encouraging zoological interest in a manner kids will love, while also highlighting some truly beautiful, stylized artwork.
Armadillo Antics by Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson & Nathalie Beauvois was published April 26 2022 by Brown Books Kids and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!.
May 7, 2022
When the moon comes out the nocturnal Armadillo ventures out. From food, to terrain, and predators, readers of all ages will learn more about the Armadillo through the creatively illustrated pages of Armadillo Antics.
This short read, blessed with lots of blues, and artfully illustrated, calms readers (or listeners) just before bedtime. As young children wind down for the night, the Armadillo’s adventures just begin. Wrapping up on the final page with the Armadillo facts that grace us throughout the read.
As a mother, located outside of the Armadillo’s typical climates, I loved experiencing a book about creatures not often gracing the pages, or zoos in my area. This book sparks excitement and provokes added learning opportunities about animals foreign to the natural climate in which we reside. Bringing vivid pictures, artistically crafted, to the eyes of young children the Armadillo is sure to be an ongoing topic of discussion in the household after reading this one.
*Disclaimer: a review copy was provided. All opinions are my own.
This short read, blessed with lots of blues, and artfully illustrated, calms readers (or listeners) just before bedtime. As young children wind down for the night, the Armadillo’s adventures just begin. Wrapping up on the final page with the Armadillo facts that grace us throughout the read.
As a mother, located outside of the Armadillo’s typical climates, I loved experiencing a book about creatures not often gracing the pages, or zoos in my area. This book sparks excitement and provokes added learning opportunities about animals foreign to the natural climate in which we reside. Bringing vivid pictures, artistically crafted, to the eyes of young children the Armadillo is sure to be an ongoing topic of discussion in the household after reading this one.
*Disclaimer: a review copy was provided. All opinions are my own.
Read
April 29, 2022ARMADILLO ANTICS is a cute, rhyming board book that teaches about armadillos. The book begins at night, when armadillos are on the go! Children can follow along as the armadillo goes for snacks and explores throughout the night. The end includes some facts about armadillos to expand on the text of the story.
The rhyming text rolls off the tongue nicely and manages to keep a great rhythm throughout that makes this a great book to read aloud. There is a lot to learn throughout the story about armadillos, and the backmatter summarizes it all really well. The illustrations are clever and light-hearted, showing all sorts of fun armadillos that children will enjoy.
Overall, this is a fun and educational picture book about armadillos that children will love! Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
The rhyming text rolls off the tongue nicely and manages to keep a great rhythm throughout that makes this a great book to read aloud. There is a lot to learn throughout the story about armadillos, and the backmatter summarizes it all really well. The illustrations are clever and light-hearted, showing all sorts of fun armadillos that children will enjoy.
Overall, this is a fun and educational picture book about armadillos that children will love! Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
February 23, 2022
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
What a fun book to read to young children! The rhythm and rhyme of the text is perfect. The illustrations of the armadillos are comical. They’re bright and much more colorful than actual armadillos, but they’re fun and great for this book.
The last page of Armadillo Antics contains information about armadillos, and it is presented well. I didn’t realize that they are nocturnal because we had one visit our backyard during the day several times one year. He must have been confused!
This is definitely a book that needs to be in a child’s library along with the author’s other children’s books.
What a fun book to read to young children! The rhythm and rhyme of the text is perfect. The illustrations of the armadillos are comical. They’re bright and much more colorful than actual armadillos, but they’re fun and great for this book.
The last page of Armadillo Antics contains information about armadillos, and it is presented well. I didn’t realize that they are nocturnal because we had one visit our backyard during the day several times one year. He must have been confused!
This is definitely a book that needs to be in a child’s library along with the author’s other children’s books.
February 25, 2022
I received an electronic ARC from Brown Books Publishing through Publisher Weekly's Grab a Galley.
Martin and Sampson have created a charming story about an armadillo who enjoys their night. The rhyming style will entertain younger readers and have them reading along by the end of the story. Beauvois' artwork is stunning and fun to look at. Though a real armadillo is nowhere near as colorful as these illustrations, readers will enjoy the color scheme. Several facts about armadillos are included at the end of the book to reinforce the information shared.
This will be a terrific read aloud for lower elementary level readers or families with young children. Though armadillo is a four-syllable word, readers will pick up on it from the repetition and be able to read this for themselves too.
Martin and Sampson have created a charming story about an armadillo who enjoys their night. The rhyming style will entertain younger readers and have them reading along by the end of the story. Beauvois' artwork is stunning and fun to look at. Though a real armadillo is nowhere near as colorful as these illustrations, readers will enjoy the color scheme. Several facts about armadillos are included at the end of the book to reinforce the information shared.
This will be a terrific read aloud for lower elementary level readers or families with young children. Though armadillo is a four-syllable word, readers will pick up on it from the repetition and be able to read this for themselves too.
February 22, 2022
I received a free digital ARC of this children's picture book. The paper collage art across the pages is absolutely beautiful, and the rhyming composition really ties everything together. The notes on the last page really help explain some of the pages (like the armadillo running from dog as one of it's biggest predators), which I think was necessary for a short kids book. The simplicity and rhythm really make this a great, quick read, and I definitely recommend it! It is an especially great option for toddler & preschool teachers to use in their classrooms thanks to the repetition and beat.
May 21, 2022
Great for all ages, the rhyme and rhythm are captivating. The cadence parallels the playful, vibrant artwork—with mixed media (exuding such fun the illustrator must have had creating each page). The triangles, dots, rectangles, lines, and flowing curves invite the reader into the armadillo’s daily routine from running, romping, and playing—all the way to resting and settling into its nest. The factoid page at the end provides mind-boggling and fascinating trivia.
May 14, 2023
Armadillo antics could be just what I need right now.
Count me in for any armadillo adventures that could entice a child of picture book age.
Also enticing? I've read a rumor that this book includes rhythm-and-rhyme.
AS CONTAGIOUS AS ANY GOOD ROCK 'N ROLL
I find this book irresistible, between the pacing from writer Bill Martin Jr. and the boldly creative visuials by Nathalie Beauvois.
Thanks for this upbeat and delightful FIVE STAR read.
Count me in for any armadillo adventures that could entice a child of picture book age.
Also enticing? I've read a rumor that this book includes rhythm-and-rhyme.
AS CONTAGIOUS AS ANY GOOD ROCK 'N ROLL
I find this book irresistible, between the pacing from writer Bill Martin Jr. and the boldly creative visuials by Nathalie Beauvois.
Thanks for this upbeat and delightful FIVE STAR read.
February 25, 2022
Another winner from Bill Martin, Jr. Using the colorful collage method, Martin's latest book is a beautiful look at armadillos. Children will learn that they are nocturnal, what they eat, where they sleep, and what their major predators are. What's more, the story is told in language that is easy to understand and lends itself to storytime chanting.
March 8, 2022
I enjoyed the illustrations of the armadillos. They were very well done, brightly colored, and a lot of fun. This book is written in rhymes to try to engage the young audience and to help teach about armadillos. It was a cute book and included some information on armadillos at the end.
I would like to thank Brown Books for providing me with an ARC.
I would like to thank Brown Books for providing me with an ARC.
April 25, 2022
Armadillo Antics is an adorable children's book about a role-poly armadillo and his adventures. With a delightful rhyming scheme and colorful illustrations, young readers will enjoy following along with this one. And parents of young readers will enjoy the nostalgia it invokes.
A wonderful, magical, easy-to-read children's book with fun facts about armadillos. How can anyone resist?
5 stars!
A wonderful, magical, easy-to-read children's book with fun facts about armadillos. How can anyone resist?
5 stars!
June 7, 2022
Truly a 5 star read for me. The kids enjoyed it in storytime and the parents found this simple book interesting as well. Colorful illustrations, rhyming text, lots of information about armadillos. (Did you know that an armadillo's snout is as hard as steel, that they can run 10 miles per hour, and that they can jump 10 times the height of their bodies?
September 6, 2022
I thought this had really old school vibes, which I then realized made sense because it's by Bill Martin Jr. This book didn't stand out to me in any way, but it wasn't bad. It reminded me of the kinds of books my elementary teachers read to me 20 years ago. Which maybe means it's time for other kinds of books.
December 11, 2022
Fabulous artwork—the story, not so much, which stumbles over some clumsy rhymes. The colorful collage of the armadillo at rest inside its nest is a work of wonder. Endnotes include an interesting array of armadillo facts, such as the ability to run 10 miles per hour, though nearly blind, and jump up to ten times its height.
August 10, 2023
Very fun read, with bright contrasting colors just like those of day and night which are prominently featured opposites in this book about the crepuscular Armadillo. I love that it worked in facts about Armadillos but in simple and fun rhymes. Would be a good one to have the kids repeat the main phrase along with you on. Also love that the style of the art was more mixed media.
March 3, 2022
I read a PDF ARC provided by my supervisor.
Children will LOVE the rhythm of this book. Such a cute and quick story about an Armadillo and a look into things that they do. I saved this to my family story time shelf for a program later.
Children will LOVE the rhythm of this book. Such a cute and quick story about an Armadillo and a look into things that they do. I saved this to my family story time shelf for a program later.
April 20, 2022
I thought the book was cute and beautifully illustrated. However, I felt like it was missing something. The story felt convoluted, forced, and boring at times. I did like that they include some facts about armadillos.
July 16, 2022
A simple book about an armadillo. End page has some nice facts about the armadillo.
Artwork is bright some type of collage. Love the color, but not sure the art told the same story so only a 2 star review
Artwork is bright some type of collage. Love the color, but not sure the art told the same story so only a 2 star review
September 8, 2022
The brightly textured collage on the cover will attract readers. In the line of Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, we watch the armadillo's activity through the night.
"Armadillo, Armadillo, Armadillo leap. Into the air! What a feat!"
"Armadillo, Armadillo, Armadillo leap. Into the air! What a feat!"
February 2, 2023
For me, this had a unique beat. It felt like a chant, but the opening verses seemed to be like a lullaby. I'm curious to see how other teacher and librarians read or use this book.
Reviewed from a library copy.
Reviewed from a library copy.
February 3, 2023
Armadillos avoid predators, play, and eat.
The illustrations are paper collage style. The text is written in rhyming couplets, which leaves something to be desired.
Facts about armadillos are included on the last page.
The illustrations are paper collage style. The text is written in rhyming couplets, which leaves something to be desired.
Facts about armadillos are included on the last page.
October 31, 2023
3.5 maybe. I agree with the other reader that it was well intended but missed the incredibly high mark set by Brown Bear Brown Bear. Just an enjoyable and colorful book. Plus armadillos seem to be the “in” animal of late.
February 28, 2022
I love armadillos and this fun, rhyming book truly celebrates these amazing critters.
Thank you to the publisher and illustrator for an e-ARC of the book!
Thank you to the publisher and illustrator for an e-ARC of the book!
March 8, 2022
Not impressed. The rhyming is often forced and the order of events isn't logical. Reminds me of a kid tossing in a word that doesn't make sense because it rhymes...
May 20, 2022
destined to become a classic
May 28, 2022
The illustrations are amazing but the text is contrived and many of the rhythms don't work.
June 2, 2022
Incredible illustrations but awkward rhythmic patterns would make this a difficult read-aloud for storytime.
Read
June 7, 2022The illustrations are far superior to the text. I really liked the illustrations.
June 18, 2022
Cute rhyming book about armadillos.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews