Looking for Jaguar: And Other Rain Forest Poems
What’s inside...
Looking for Jaguar is a collection of nineteen poems with full-color illustrations that takes readers on an expedition through the world's rain forests. The book explores the habitats of wild and endangered animals in Costa Rica, Brazil, Belize, and Borneo, providing a vivid and dramatic glimpse into the lives of these creatures as they exist in their natural environments.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-10
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it would feel like to explore the rainforest like in the poems?
Which animal from the book would you like to learn more about and why?
How do you think the rainforest sounds at night compared to the day based on the poems?
What can we do to help protect rainforests and their animals?
How do the illustrations in the book make you feel about the rainforest?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive tones and sounds to mimic the rainforest environment while reading the poems.
After reading, spend some time together drawing your favorite scene or animal from the book.
Explore more about the animals mentioned in the poems through books or online resources to deepen the learning experience.
Discuss the importance of rainforests in our ecosystem and what actions we can take to contribute to their preservation.
Encourage your child to write their own short poem about their favorite rainforest animal, fostering both creativity and connection to the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Environmental awareness
Explanation: Through captivating poems about the rainforest and its inhabitants, this book highlights the beauty and importance of this biodiverse environment.
Real-World Application: Children can develop a sense of responsibility towards preserving natural habitats and understanding the impact of human actions on ecosystems.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards animals
Explanation: The book gives a voice to the creatures of the rainforest, portraying their lives and challenges, which can help children understand and empathize with animals.
Real-World Application: Such empathy can encourage kindness and thoughtful interactions with animals in their local environment, promoting humane behavior.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for different cultures
Explanation: Rainforest poems introduce aspects of the cultures that thrive in these environments, enriching children’s understanding and appreciation for diversity.
Real-World Application: This lesson can enhance social inclusivity and respect for people from various backgrounds in a child's day-to-day interactions.
Example Lesson: Creativity and expression
Explanation: The poetic format of the book encourages children to appreciate literary creativity and might inspire them to express themselves through writing or art.
Real-World Application: Children can be motivated to engage in creative writing or artistic expressions at school or home, fostering their artistic talents.
Example Lesson: Importance of conservation
Explanation: ‘Looking for Jaguar: And Other Rain Forest Poems’ subtly educates about the threats to rainforests and the need for conservation efforts.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to participate in or initiate conservation projects and activities, such as recycling or local clean-up days.