Title: Slithery Snakes
Story and art by Roxie Munro
Published by Amazon Publishing, 2013
Ages: 7-11
Themes: snakes, habitats, skin patterns
Nonfiction, 40 pages.
Available in hard back and eBook formats.
Opening Lines:
Can you guess what kind of snake this is? Because of its stripes, this snake is named after an article of clothing men once wore to hold up their socks. Its species is spread throughout North America.
Synopsis:
This nonfiction book set against black background starts with a double-page spread of fun snake facts and a little of their history and anatomy. Did you know that there are no snakes in New Zealand or Ireland and there are few in Hawaii? Then there are eighteen double pages, with the first spread including a question like above, set against a fabulous snake patterned background. The next spread answers the question with key and interesting aspects about that snake, including a full, vibrant illustration of the snake in question set in its ecosystem. Nine snakes are detailed and he book concludes with a useful glossary (I learnt the word, brumate) and suggested reading for further research.
Why I like this book:
This is a book girls and boys curious about these intriguing reptiles, with whom we have a awe/hate relationship. The question and answer format works very well and will make the book a possible read-aloud as well as for individual perusal. There is a lot of information in these forty pages and difficult vocabulary is not avoided, but Roxie pitches the language and information very well for the appropriate age group. The patterns are mesmerizing, vibrant and unique. They gave me a whole new appreciation of this creature and the use of pattern in the natural world. The skin patterns backdrop the questions perfectly and I didn’t know any of the answers! I could tell a lot of research went into this picture book, which was then condensed down to bite-sized but very nutritious, tasty morsels for the young reader.
Activities/Resources:
- Five books and seven websites are offered for further research at the end of the book.
- Allow each child to research their own snake (or other reptile) and illustrate the pattern and come up with a question and response for the class.
- Mrs Brown’s Art Class have a great lesson on patterns in nature.
- On her website, Roxie offers some great website links for further exploration on snakes at her website.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with teaching resources and activities, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
Interesting book, Joanna, and one I am sure kids will get a lot out of. I am just soooooo glad I live in New Zealand. 🙂
Beautiful cover, Roxie!
I’ll have to check out the ebook. I know if it’s Roxie’s book it will be formatted properly! (I don’t like snakes, but the colors do look interesting.)
Roxie definitely has a way with non-fiction. And I don’t know any 10 year-old that can resist a cool book about snakes. Thanks. We’ll be on the lookout for this one.
I love snakes! Definitely need to read this book (how could I have missed it?) Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
This sounds like one kids would really relish. Thanks for telling me about it.
I really like the colorful cover and how Roxie has formatted the book. Lots of great and interesting facts. Still don’t know the name of the first snake mentioned. When I was in Hawaii, I was told there were no snakes.Didn’t know about Ireland and New Zealand. Does it say why?
I didn’t like snakes as a child and still don’t. Didn’t even go into the reptile exhibit at the zoo.
‘Bite-sized and nutritious’ – love it! Great activity idea to research patterns – esp for kids who live in regions that demand awareness!
I don’t like snakes. They smell bad. But kids seem to love reading about them, so over the years I’ve learned a lot about those slithery creatures. We actually have a big rat snake living in our barn right now. My Mom Person is happy about that, but I’m staying out of there! I think my reading buddies would like this book. I’ll have to look for it.
Awesome! We have kids at our library chomping at the bit for great nonfiction. Snakes, spiders, and natural disasters are favorite topics. I’m so glad to hear Roxie has a snake book. I love her work.
After living in Texas, I DON’T like snakes. There were poisonous ones everywhere! Front yard, back yard. It is an important subject though – to know which are the baddies and which are helping rid us of rodents etc.
I’m sure kids love this book, but my goodness, the cover is frightening!
I love Roxie’s books! Need to check this one out. 🙂