It’s Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday! 
This title is difficult to categorize. It is definitely nonfiction. A fact book of sorts. A book of art. That too. Quirky, odd, fantastic. All of these things. Some of nature’s truths displayed a little more graphically and gruesome than one might usually find in children’s literature. . . Cannibalistic crocodiles munching each other for lunch. But also absolute charm conveyed through simple text and illustrations that go where our imaginations might.
A polar bear is left handed as are most artists.
This line is illustrated by a polar bear holding paints having just painted a self portrait.
What exactly is this book I am describing? A gorgeous animal concept book illustrated by Marije Tolman with text by Jesse Goossens: Jumping Penguins (published in 2013 by Lemniscaat) In the Netherlands this title is published under this title: Jumping Penguins and Laughing Hyenas.
There is an index in the back. It lists 27 animal names and the pages they are featured. That is about as far as a nod to typical organization of nonfiction texts might take us. Otherwise it is all whimsy. Wonder. Amazement.
Each fact is given some elaboration or not. But each one is illustrated not realistically but more in a what might/could this mean if we thought creatively about it. Penguins can leap six feet in the air? So . . . do they stand around and watch graceful leaps out of the freezing sea? The illustration suggests just that.
What were particular wow facts/illustrations for me?
- An adult porcupine has 30,000 quills on its body which are replaced every year (the illustration shows us porcupines using discarded quills to erect a fence around their property)
- The ribcage of a hippopotamus is so large, the average seven year old could stand inside of it.
- Sumatran tigers do like water – in fact they have webbed toes and can swim more than fifteen miles.
Find the book and be delighted and informed in the most wonderful of ways. Amazing animals. Yes, truly.
Thanks to Alyson from Kid Lit Frenzy for the inspiration to read and share more nonfiction picture books in 2014! Follow the link to Alyson’s blog to read about more nonfiction titles.
My goal is to read 65 nonfiction picture books for 2014. Progress: 25/65 complete!
There's a Book for That 
Hi, this sounds like a wonderful book concept and really neat approach to introducing animals to children. Thanks for sharing.
My nonfiction picture book post for the week.
The art alone is worth many reads!
Sounds like a fun book. I have a feeling my daughter will love this. Random facts galore! Thanks for sharing.
Really fun random facts. 🙂
This sounds like my kind of book, Carrie. I can’t wait to locate a copy. I can always count on you to focus on unique titles.
I think you will love it Margie! I bought my own copy. Just gorgeous.
the illustrations are awesome, Carrie! I love NF adult adventure in the wild books & remember one where the couple (in a cabin far north) killed a moose to eat, and it was so big, they could crawl inside too-amazing that we rarely get so close to animals like that and like your hippo!
They really are gorgeous illustrations. Began sharing with my class today and they were just in awe!
Wow – what a fun way to share information! That looks so cool!
It is a really unique book.
Sounds like a really out of the box kind of nonfiction. Have you shared it with kids?
Yes! Started sharing today. Kids fascinated.
I’m always jealous when you post about a book that is not here in the States yet!!! Sounds like a great one 🙂
Are you sure? I think it was published in US in October It’s a great one to find!
Sounds like an interesting read. I know we sold that in our store before but I didn’t get chance to even look at it.
I was drawn to it immediately and had to buy my own copy!
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