Weird Friends: Unlikely Allies in the Animal Kingdom

by José Aruego, Ariane Dewey

In the animal kingdom, you just can't predict who will be friends with whom. One type of bird baby-sits for newborn crocodiles; there is a beetle that cleans a mouse’s house; and a certain fish leads blind shrimp through underwater traffic. In a world full of predators, the most unlikely creatures form alliances to help each other survive.
Although the ways in which these creatures interact might seem outlandish, their behavior is real animal nature. And kids will love learning about funny and fascinating animal friendships around the globe.

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2002

About the author

Jose Aruego's books for young readers have earned the applause of critics, teachers, librarians, and parents -- as well as the affection of children everywhere. Mr. Aruego's comic animals are immediately recognizable as they cavort through clear, vibrant landscapes, carrying out the action that the simple text has set in motion. It is a style one reviewer has termed illustrative mime.

Jose Aruego was born in the Philippines, where he studied law and became a member of the Bar. But after practicing briefly, he decided to come to the United States to study graphic arts and advertising at Parsons School of Design in New York City. After graduation, he worked in adver-tising before taking up the demanding job of cartooning for The Saturday Evening Post, The New Yorker, Look, and other magazines. Every Wednesday I would go to the cartoon editor with fifteen or sixteen drawings in hand, from which he might select one for publication. The tension was terrible, because selling cartoons was how I made my living. But I learned a lot from the rejected work, so it wasn't a waste.

The sink-or-swim experience of drawing cartoons was how I learned to make the most of a small amount of space. Both abilities have helped him in his career as a children's book author and illustrator, which he began with the publication of The King and His Friends in 1969.

Although he is known for his amusing characters, Jose Aruego takes writing and drawing for children very seriously. After more than three dozen books he feels he is still learning his craft and getting to know his audience. Each project teaches me something new and makes mea better artist. Each book brings me closer to children. From the popularity and appeal of Jose Aruego's books, it is obvious that he has both the artistic skill and the imagination to reach the world of children. His work has a distinctive rhythm, and his humorous animal characters have a gaiety and playfulness that children adore.

I have found from making appearances at schools that when kids draw for themselves, most of them like to make funny pictures. So I show them how to draw an alligator. It's a simple drawing and the teachers tell me that after my visit, Aruego alligators show up all over the school.

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book summary: This is a book about animals that are weird or unlikely friends that end up helping each other because they both get benefits in some way. This book just tells about different animals such as ants and a butterfly or clown fish and sea anemone, etc.
Grade level: 2-5
Appropriate classroom use: This could be read when learning about animal kingdom. Kids can learn about how animals you wouldn't think would be together such as a zebra and an ostrich working together daily. Using each other to help everyday life. It would be good for kids to learn and understand this.
Indv. students who benefit: Those who would like to learn something new and enjoy exotic animals.
Small group use: Students can do a project on unlikely animals and maybe even an activity.
Whole class use: This would be an appropriate book to read out loud. The only thing is that this book has interesting animal names that I haven't even heard of before so that can possibly be confusing. But the kids could always look it up and learn.
Related books: Other books by the same author, or books like "Who's Eating You?"
Multimedia connections: Available as hardcover only.

[Sierra Dirksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting. I have never read a book or seen a book like it before. The book talks about different animals in the wild that you would not expect to get along, but they do. It was interesting and shocking to read what animals work together in nature to survive. The illustrations made it have a whimsical value to it and would help children remain interested. I really liked that at the end the book states where these unlikely allies can be found.

[Shaeley Santiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book introduces fourteen different pairs of animals who help each other out (symbiotic relationships). While not overly detailed from a scientific perspective, the text and illustrations are accessible for elementary students as an introduction to some unusual animal relationships.

[Madison Dragonas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very informational. It compares different animals together. It would be a great book if a teacher was talking about different animals on land and in water. I really enjoyed this book, but it is definitely for an older group.

[Seok Hyeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The content of the book is exciting and surprising. I was impressed about the story that look at real animal companions, their fascinating behavior, and what makes these friendships work. The book can teach cooperation and friendship. I also got a lot of information from the book.

[Skylar Lesser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book exploring the connections different animals have in the wild. It would work well for a science lesson on the animal kingdom.
Traits: Presentation, Ideas
Lexile: AD840L
DRA: 38

[Lauren Hanford · Rating 4 out of 5]

An educational story that teaches more about different animals in the animal kingdom and how they work and live together. Even adults could learn a thing or two from this book.
No Lexile or DRA found.

[Erica Flory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

11/09: Cute and quirky.

Inside Cover:
Who eats the bugs of his buddy's back?
Who gets trained as a seeing-eye fish?
Who acts as both a baby-sitter and a burglar alarm?
Weird friends, that's who.
Relationships in the animal kingdom can seem very strange, because the most unlikely creatures do wonderful things to help each other survive. Some act as bodyguards or booby traps, others as hairdressers or housekeepers. Come explore what makes these friendships work in an around-the-world look at real animal companions and their fascinating (and sometimes bizarre) behavior.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great way to present cooperation and friendship to students, but it puts an interesting spin on things by talking about animals that work together. I think that students would really enjoy this book because they get to learn about unlikely animals working together. The illustrations are beautiful!

[Alissa Jelke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This expository book explores the mutually beneficial relationships some animals have with each other. It would be great to read along with discussions on friendships, acceptance, self-worth or diversity.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another of my favorite collaborators.

[Janine Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird Friends: Unlikely Allies in the Animal Kingdom by Jose Aruego (NF-K/1) Fall Booklegger Program

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good story about friendship, and shows the science idea of cooperation

[Sydney McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great informational book on "unlikely allies in the animal kingdom." It has colorful pictures and short paragraphs describing the relationships.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really informational text. It can teach students a lot about how animals can benefit one another.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very factual little stories about animals helping each other.

Fun illustrations.