Fur, Feather, Fin: All of Us Are Kin by Diane Lang, illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. PICTURE BOOK NON-FICTION. Beach
Lane Books (Simon & Schuster), 2018. $18. 9781481447096
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Told in rhyme, this book introduces young readers to some
animal families and groups. We learn a few basic facts about mammals, birds,
amphibians, reptiles, arthropods, and fish. Each section contains three
couplets, with the last stanza only complete after turning the page. The final two sections cover water dwellers and
detritivores, and back matter gives more information about each animal group.
The illustrations portray many different animals in a style that shows many details, but is not quite scientific.
The text of this book could be used as an introduction to
animal families, or to compare and contrast characteristics of them. I like how
this book, with its friendly illustrations, invites readers to celebrate the
animal life in our world in all its variety. However, none of the animals are
labeled, which is a disadvantage in its usefulness as research material,
and a disappointment in satisfying a reader’s curiosity. The rhyming text succeeds in teaching simple facts, but the back matter is too advanced for those same
readers to adequately access independently.
P. K. Foster, teacher-librarian
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