A Is for Axolotl: An Unusual Animal ABC
on Goodreads (160)
What’s inside...
Incredible animals await in Unusual Animal ABC—not the tame or the merely wild, but the strangest, most fascinating creatures of all! Readers will join an alphabet adventure that spans the globe as they climb trees with the binturong (also known as the bearcat), glide through the rainforest canopy with the colugo, and deep dive with the Dumbo octopus. Get ready for close encounters with axolotls, binturongs, colugos, dumbo octopuses, echidnas, fossas, gerenuks, hyraxes, ibex, jerboas, kiwis, lorises, maned wolves, naked mole rats, okapis, pangolins, quokkas, red pandas, saigas, thorny dragons, uakaris, vaquitas, water bears, xenopus, yeti crabs, and zebra duikers; all in Catherine Macorol's Unusual Animal ABC.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Which unusual animal from the book was your favorite and why?
Can you think of other animals that start with the same letter as your name?
How do you think an axolotl feels living underwater?
If you could create an imaginary animal, what special features would it have?
Why is it important to learn about different animals around the world?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by expressing your own enthusiasm for the diversity of animals featured in the book. Use expressive reading to make each animal come alive. Encourage your child to mimic the sounds or movements of the animals as you read about them. After reading, relate the animals to any pets or familiar animals your child knows to deepen their connection. Lastly, use the book as a stepping stone to explore more about one of the animals in an activity or online research together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Diversity and Uniqueness
Explanation: Each page of 'A Is for Axolotl' introduces children to a new and unusual animal, emphasizing the beauty and diversity of fauna.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect the differences in the creatures and people around them, promoting inclusivity.
Example Lesson: Alphabet Knowledge
Explanation: The book uses the alphabet to organize the introduction of each animal, reinforcing letter recognition and sequence.
Real-World Application: This helps children in understanding the basic structure of language, aiding them in learning how to read.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The depiction of less commonly known animals sparks curiosity in young readers.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to ask questions and seek out more information, which is a crucial skill for academic and life-long learning.
Example Lesson: Conservation Awareness
Explanation: By highlighting unusual animals, many of which are endangered, the book raises awareness about the need for wildlife conservation.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of environmental stewardship and may inspire them to partake in or advocate for conservation efforts.
Example Lesson: Visual Learning
Explanation: The vibrant illustrations provide a visual learning experience that complements the text.
Real-World Application: Supports the development of observational skills and enhances memory through visual association.