Time to Eat explores the eating habits of some unusual animals from the panda to the blue whale. We find out what, how, and when they eat. What I thought: I'm becoming quite a fan of Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. When I see their names in a review, the book goes on my order list. Time to Eat is the perfect blend of facts and pictures. It is simple enough to appeal to preschoolers but informative enough so that elementary and middle school students could use it for research. I love the illustrations. I has no idea that cut and torn paper collage could be so intricate. My favorite illustrations are the panda, chipmunk, and aye aye. Jenkins and Page continue their collaboration with a new series of nature books for young children. The other two books in the series are Time for a Bath (coming in May) and Time to Sleep (just released). In this book, readers learn about the many strange and different things that animals eat. From the rocks that an ostrich has to eat to chew its food to the tapping thin fingers of an aye-aye looking for lunch, the facts are fascinating. Those facts are paired with Jenkins’ illustrations done in paper collage. As always, his collage work captures the texture of fur, the softness of feathers, and the smoothness of skin. They manage to be simple yet demonstrate the complexity of the animals. Make sure to turn to the end of the book for more details about the featured animals. The facts included in the body of the book read aloud very well, offering just enough detail to be interesting and yet to move along quickly. This is a great book to add to any library’s nature section and to keep on hand for any nature or animal story times you will be doing. The dung beetle alone is sure to get children intrigued! Appropriate for ages 4-7.
What do You think about Time To Eat Big Book (2014)?
Many animals have surprising ways of collecting, storing, and consuming their food.
—Smurf
See my comments under Time to Sleep. Applies to whole series.
—Ded_love
