Susannah Buhrman-DeeverRecensioni

Lush illustrations, fun side facts, proper tone for the age level.

This book is good for a primary age group. It combines the whimsical pictures you'd expect from a fiction picture book with some very valuable information on the pivotal role otters play in their ecosystem. It also carries an environmental lesson on the way human impact can completely ruin the balance of an environment. I would definitely have this in my classroom, as it carries both the interest of kids that enjoy learning about animals while also offering a moral cause.

This is a great book to aid in teaching how different types of animals survive in the environments that they live in. This concept of food chains, predator vs prey, and survival mechanisms can be a little confusing to young minds, so using this as an aid and reading bits and pieces of this short book to the class or small groups could be beneficial in the learning process because it includes poems and pictures to describe the different predators and who their prey is.

This book takes a dive into the ocean and explores the kelp forests and the sea otters in the Pacific coast of North America. The book has beautifully written prose, methodically researched asides that are woven into the pages to add more depth to the information provided throughout this book. The illustrations of the active marine life provide the visual appeal that readers are looking for. These beautiful illustrations done in mixed media bring the information to life. Both Susannnah Buhrman-Deever and Matthew Trueman help readers to understand this serious and heartfelt look at a habitat’s recovery.
Kelp forests and sea otters work together to keep the ocean healthy for so many creatures. The book begins by talking about the intricate parts of the kelp forest, the sea life that depends on it and many facts about these forests that give the reader a deep understanding of why these kelp forests matter. The story then takes a closer look at the sea otters, and how they play a part in keeping the kelp forests alive and this ecosystem working. This book then looks at how human impacted this ecosystem and even the indigenous people through their ignorance and desire for the sea otter furs. These people took the otters away, hunting them for their fur and almost driving them to extinction. When this happened above water this caused a ripple effect beneath the water. Without the sea otters, the population of sea urchins grew and devoured the kelp. This destroyed an entire kelp forests along with all the marine life that depend on the kelp for survival. in 1911 the United States along with other countries decided to sign the International Fur Treaty that protected sea otters being hunted and sold for otter furs by the non-indigenous people. By signing this treaty and working together, the sea otters and the kelp forests were able to come back and thus making sure a whole ecosystem stays protected.

What beautiful illustrations!! The relationships between the species is painted in great detail, with such thoughtful and varied backgrounds. The poetry for children is simple for them to understand, easy to be read aloud, and creates a rhythm between the species that can be felt. My favorite poem was the fireflies, the last line made me laugh a little.

First off the illustrations in this book are breathtaking. They are absolutely gorgeous. The story tells how the cycle of life changes if an element, in this case sea otters are taken away. Along with the story there are multiple factoids that are relevant and interesting. This would be a great book to talk about life cycles, hunting, and even endangered species.

Beautiful illustrations and easy to see the difference between the Predator and Prey.

I enjoyed this book. It is written "for two voices", so be aware of that when starting to read to a child. Not hard to read out loud, and would probably be a good interactive story for a young reader who would like to participate in the reading of poetry.

My children and I loved this book.

I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but it's a wonderful blend of poetry (sometimes for multiple voices) and science.

Each page contains a beautifully illustrated poem about a predator or their prey, and then at the bottom, a pullout box explaining the scientific principle the poem describes.

I imagine that this will be a book we pull out over and over again in the future.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Beautiful illustrations show the relationship between predator and prey in this unusual picture book, accompanied by short poems.
Each large spread, some expanded with gatefolds, shows a delicate painting of a predator and their prey, a poem or short series of poems, and a box of information about the animals pictured. For example, one page shows a criss-crossing of bare branches and a sharp-shinned hawk, beleaguered by a "feisty mob" of chickadees. The first illustration is accompanied by a poem featuring the alarm call of the chickadees and a section explaining that a perched hawk is unwelcome but not immediately dangerous while a flying hawk is ready to attack. The facing page shows the hawk soaring into the air and two poems, one featuring the chickadees stealth warning call as they perch still on a branch and the other the hawk's reply, warning them that she will be back.
Other pairs featured are a bluejay trying to decide between poisonous and non-poisonous butterflies, a rattlesnake stalking an angry squirrel, bats hunting moths, assassin bugs and spiders. These aren't the "exciting" large carnivores, but the small creatures of backyards and grasslands, epic mini battles going on all the time right under our eyes.
Back matter consists of citations, primarily of academic papers and resources. This isn't one I can see the average kid picking up off the shelf for fun, but it's an amazing resource for teachers and, with a little booktalking, will interest kids who like biology and observing the natural world.
Verdict: A beautiful, well-researched book that can be introduced to children in a variety of ways. A great classroom resource or curriculum supplement.
ISBN: 9780763695330; Published April 2019 by Candlewick Studio; Review copy provided by LibraryThing Early Reviewers; Donated to the library

Detailed full page watercolor and gouache paintings accompany action packed poems demonstrating the complicated relationships between predators and prey. A thorough bibliography is included for further research. School age children and even adults will learn something new and exciting.

I think this book is really unique. My kids love that there are poems and facts about the actual animals. It isn't a sit and read the whole book at once for my kids but they keep coming back to it and its fun to pick a few pages and read them. The illustrations are beautiful.

I started to read this to my two children (ages 5 and 7). They were able to read about three poems before we put it away for another day. This isn't bad, in my opinion - the book poems were very well done and we'll pick it up again and again, I'm sure.

I really enjoyed the poems for two voices - two people read the poem, one as the predator and the other as prey. It was an engaging way to enjoy the poem together and learn about the natural world at the same time.

I received a copy of Predator and Prey in exchange for my honest review.

Here's what I like about this picture book:
The poems are fun to read aloud, and reminiscent of a favorite book, Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman.
There is just enough factual information explaining the poem in a box at the bottom of each page spread.
The detailed watercolor and gouache illustrations by Bert Kitchen are lovely, although the ground squirrel was confusing to this Midwesterner. It looks like the squirrels that inhabit trees, rather than the ground squirrels that live in this part of the country. After a little research I found a California ground squirrel that looks just like the illustration. Well, I learned more than I expected to from the book.

Here's what I don't like quite as much:
Fold out pages may be impressive, but I find them awkward for a read aloud, and prone to damage. We will just have to be careful to keep our book in good condition. It is a keeper.

Most amazing book ever! The illustrations are beautiful. The poetry is also amazing and perfect for two voices. I even learned a lot of interesting information that I had never known before. This is a must for educators' bookshelves. I can't wait to use it as rhythm readings in music classes. It will also be great for biology classes and English lessons! Definitely a 5-star book!

I received a free copy of Predator and Prey by Susannah Buhrman-Deever and illustrator Bert Kitchen in exchange for an honest review.

Illustrations, animal facts, and poetry wrapped up in one. This book may have a few pages; but there is no need to rush through it. You will want to linger and pause on each book spread. Each page is a gem. The colours are muted. The illustrations are beautiful and peaceful even though there is tension as the scene depicts the hunter and the hunted. A couple of spread sheets have bio-folds that reveal the text. The read can take a moment and consider the scene and guest who is who in this dance for survival.
The reader has a couple of poems to read for each scene. Each poem has the voice and the perspective of each character. Some you may assume to be the prey are surprising and cunning. If you want to know more, a box on non-fiction facts are available to be consumed.

This book would be a wonder addition to a school library and resource to teach animal life cycles and poetry. I can already image what animals students could pick to research and write poems about for their fellow students!½

Captivating!! The illustrations are realistic and absolutely gorgeous!

This book work on multiple levels: first, much can be learned simply by careful examination of the illustrations. Next, reading the poetry aloud introduces the very personal relationships that exist in the animal world between those who eat and those who will be eaten. Finally, read the text boxes for brief but very interesting prose facts about the pair. I learned a tremendous amount just flipping through this volume the first time, and I can imagine my toddlers returning to this one and memorizing all the available facts in the coming years.

For a couple of poems, it was unclear at first which character was speaking, but I wouldn't call that a drawback necessarily. It allows for a surprise ending and invites immediate re-reading to tease out the details. One of the "two voices" poems was much clearer than the other, but both reminded me of Paul Fleischman's "Joyful Noise." I could definitely see introducing the two volumes together.

I really like that it wasn't obvious (or consistent) who would "win" each encounter: predator or prey. Without being heavy-handed at all, Buhrman-Deever does a great job of presenting the ways in which the various "prey" species use their camouflage and defense mechanisms (poison, sounds, shocking visual markings, heat) to avoid and/or confront those for whom they would be lunch.

Very impressive and much appreciated bibliography! I hope to see more from this team.

This is a beautifully designed and illustrated children's book about balance in the natural world. There are 10 pairings of predator and prey, with their stories told in parallel verse, one for the hunter and one for the hunted. There is also a straight text explanation of the relationship between the two of each pair, making it clear that there are tools and tricks in use on both sides, and that both are simply trying to survive. Good science, beautiful depictions of all the critters, including two magnificent fold-out panoramas. The poems are the weakest part of this book, particularly those for two voices, because it's not immediately clear who is who and whether you're meant to read one in its entirety and then the other...or alternate the voices (the former works best in most cases). But I absolutely loved the crested anole lizard's confident challenge to the Puerto Rican racer who enjoys to eat them (the cover image shows these two facing off):

I'm buff!
I'm tough!
You know I've got the stuff!

My push-up moves
Will prove to you
My legs are strong
I've got the brawn
(You sure you wanna take me on?)

The age range listed for this one on Amazon is 6-9. But I'd say it would need a fair amount of adult input for the younger readers in that range. There's nothing "easy" about the concept or the presentation, but it's an unsentimental, realistic view of how nature works. And there's a bibliography for further reading at the end, which is a very nice addition. Recommended for bright young learners and their grown-ups.½

First, beautiful illustrations by Bert Kitchen. Second, great concept. Third, I learned so much! I like that the book not only has poems, but sidebars that explain the prey and predator in each. There is also a nice introduction and a comprehensive bibliography at the end for readers who wish to explore more. I also liked the twist in poems such as "What Webs We Weave."

Quibbles? The fold-out pages are lovely, but I'm a school librarian. They'll rip too soon. Kids do better without those gimmicks. And I wish HOW to read "a poem for two voices" had been explained. One of those poems in particular, "Sound Wars," was difficult to follow; the two voices did not match up and I'm wondering if it was laid out correctly on the page.

Finally, it ended so abruptly. I think there could have been a way to tie everything together with a poem that summarized the relationship of predators and prey.

I'd like to see more by this poet/artist pair with some of the kinks worked out.½