Reviews

Animal Partners


Library Media Connection - March 2015

"Some of the information in this book about symbiosis is conveyed through poetry. Poems are paired with vivid illustrations that add detail. At times the symbiotic relationship between poem and illustration is too dependent. The back pages further differentiate learning by offering matching activities. References are included. The activities can also be found on the publisher�s website. The website is well worth exploring before purchase. Glossary."
-Tess Pfeifer, The Springfield Renaissance School, Springfield, Massachusetts RECOMMENDED

Horn Book Guide - April 2015

"Each on a double-page spread, thirteen brief poems offer silly interpretations of animals' symbiotic relationships...paired with back matter explaining the scientific concept and differentiating between mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism, they are mildly entertaining vehicles for the information."

Dawn Cusick, biology teacher and award winning children's Science Book Author - May 2014

"Scotti Cohn takes children (and the adults who are lucky enough to read with them!) on a wild and wonderful tour of the animal world's symbiotic relationships. Cohn's engaging poetry is a fun reminder that science writing comes in many forms, and is sure to pique young readers' curiosity about the intense competition for resources that drives symbiotic relationships."

Midwest Book Review-April 2015

"Three excellent Arbordale Picture Books use storytelling or poetry to teach children about amazing animals and the natural world. Animal Partners is filled with short whimsical poems about the beneficial or parasitic relationships different species of animals have with one another.

Heck of a Bunch - February 2015

"Told in rhythmical form, Animal Partners is a delightful book that shows the symbiotic relationships within the animal species. Some of the partnerships are shown of animals helping and depending on each other and some show how one animal wins in a relationship by hurting another animal. This is a book where children may not know right off hand what kind of animal partnership is being shown, but a further discussion after the reading will help them register and get the idea. The "For Creative Minds" section in the back of the book is one area that helps children decipher because it explains the difference between "win-win", "win-stay the same" and "win-lose" relationships between animals. There's also a couple of fun matching exercises where readers can match animal partners and animal habitats."

Reader's Haven Reviews - February 2015

"Arbordale Publishing brings entertainment and education to children and classrooms in an approachable format. Author Scotti Cohn and illustrator Shennen Bersani have teamed to bring a colorful, entertaining book about animals and other critters that partner to keep one another clean, fed, or pest free.

Written in rhyming prose the educational information is delivered with a touch of humor. The bird in the crocodile's mouth doing his bit of "dentistry" and the barnacles atop the back of the sea turtle are just a couple of the delightful illustrations.

As with other books in the Arbordale series, there is a "For Creative Minds" section at the back of the book with more in depth information and activities."

So Cal City Kids - June 2015

"A Must-Read for grades K-4! The For Creative Minds section includes: Helping Partners, What Type of Partners and Match the Animal Partners."

Archimedes Notebook - October 2015

The poems are fun, short, and snappy. And the author explores different poetic forms. I like that there's backmatter: the author describes different types of symbiosis and gives examples of each kind from the text. There's a "match the animal partners" game and a "name the habitat" challenge.

Scotts Valley Times Publishing Group - February 2016

Learn about some of the fascinating symbiotic relationships between animals that will defy comprehension. You�ll see how small fish will clean larger fish�s teeth, birds will feed on insects on a rhino�s back, and beetles keep forest mice relatively free of fleas.

The unique partnerships presented here are narrated using a jaunty, rhymed text that will appeal to young readers as will the colorful, full-page illustrations.

Bookloons - January 2015

Learn about some of the fascinating symbiotic relationships between animals that will defy comprehension. You'll see how small fish will clean larger fish's teeth, birds will feed on insects on a rhino's back, and beetles keep forest mice relatively free of fleas. The unique partnerships presented here are narrated using a jaunty, rhymed text that will appeal to young readers as will the colorful, full page illustrations. Four pages of learning activities at the end of the book are a definite bonus and make this book an exciting and memorable learning experience for young readers.

Children's Literature Review, University of Dayton SEHS

Love the online resources - follow up activities, yay. The rhyme stance will be popular with kids in a read aloud.