Christmas Books for Kids: Fur and Feathers by Janet Halfmann, Illus by Laurie Allen Klein

I recently won this book on a giveaway from the author Janet Halfmann, on her Facebook page! You really DO need to read your favorite author's Facebook pages for extra giveaways- LOL


I really wanted to win this one for Kiddo and am surprising her with it at Christmas, as she is a feather fanatic. Seriously, she comes home every day from school with at least 3 feathers she found outside at school (we made GOOD use of them when it came time to make a turkey feather for their large class turkey poster for Thanksgiving!

Synopsis:  Sophia dreams that a howling wind comes in and whisks away all the fur and feathers on the animals in the book she was reading. She tries to help them by sharing her clothes, but none of them suit the animals' needs. Seeing their disappointment, she offers to sew each one the right coat. Animals line up to explain what they need and why. Polar Bear needs white fur to stay warm and hide in the snow. Fish needs scales, but with slime. Snake needs scales too, but dry ones. And how will Sophia make a prickly coat for Porcupine? 


The book has won both the Teachers Choice Award 2012 from Learning Magazine, and Moonbeam Children's Book Award


Review: This is an adorable book! The illustrations by Laurie are perfect for kids- bright and lively, while the text is engaging. I loved the little 'extras' that Sophia adds to her creations- like stars on the ladybug, instead of all spots. The book urges kids to be creative, and think outside the norm. I know Kiddo will love it as she loves going through sewing baskets and I wouldn't be surprised if some of her stuffed animals, get some 'adjustments' after she reads this book! 


I liked how Halfmann includes a animal section after the story with scientific info on all the animals in the book, including skeletons, skins, what they eat and how their babies are born. It gives parents, and teachers, a starting point for discussing the differences among animals.


This is the third collaboration between the author and illustrator and a wonderful one your kids will love!




About the Author: Before becoming a children's author, Janet was a daily newspaper reporter, children's magazine editor, and a creator of coloring and activity books for Golden Books. She is the mother of four and the grandmother of four. When Janet isn't writing, she enjoys gardening, exploring nature, visiting living history museums, and spending time with her family. She grew up on a farm in Michigan and now lives in South Milwaukee, WI. She has written more than thirty books, both fiction and nonfiction. See more on her website.


About the Illustrator: Laurie has been a freelance artist for nearly 20 years. Over the last several years, she has worked as the on-staff artist for a marine park, where she does everything from painting life-size sea animal murals, to illustrating children's activity books. Laurie lives in Florida. See more of her artwork at http://www.lauriekleinarts.com.






Disclosure / Disclaimer: I won this book, fromthe author, in a Facebook giveaway. No compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it.