Play Like an Animal!

Why Critters Splash, Race, Twirl, and Chase

  • Interest Level: Kindergarten - Grade 3
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

Dash! Hide! Splash! Ride! Exuberant text celebrates all the different ways animals play, from rhinos taking mud baths and parrots somersaulting through the air to kangaroos boxing and dolphins diving through the surf. Additional text explains how playing benefits animals. Fascinating back matter gives more information about the featured animals in the book and encourages readers to make time to play every day!

Format Your Price Add
978-1-5415-5771-0
$14.99
978-1-5415-9558-3
$24.99
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Interest Level Kindergarten - Grade 3
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Science
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Expository Literature, Animals
Copyright 2020
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 32
Publication Date 2020-04-07
Text Type Informational/Explanatory
BISACS JNF003000, JNF021000, JNF051150
Dewey 591.56/3
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 10.625 x 8.875
Lexile 560
Guided Reading Level L
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Awards, Bibliography/further reading, Original artwork, Reviewed, and Teaching Guides

Author: Maria Gianferrari

Maria Gianferrari is a community scientist, self-taught naturalist and bird nerd who holds an M.A. in Creative Writing and a Ph.D. in English. She is the author of narrative nonfiction picture books which celebrate urban ecosystems, the natural world and our wild neighbors including Coyote Moon, Hawk Rising, Whoo-Ku Haiku: A Great Horned Owl Story, Be a Tree! and most recently, Bobcat Prowling. Maria lives with her scientist husband and Maple the dog in a house encircled by trees.

Illustrator: Mia Powell

Mia Powell is an illustrator based in the United Kingdom.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Play Like an Animal!

Dash! Hide! Splash! Ride! Exuberant text celebrates all the different ways animals play, from rhinos taking mud baths and parrots somersaulting through the air to kangaroos boxing and dolphins diving through the surf. Additional text explains how playing benefits animals.… View available downloads →

Awards

  • Texas Topaz Reading List, Winner, 2021
  • Keystone to Reading Book Award Nominee, Nominated, 2021

Reviews

Kiss the Book

Play Like an Animal! Why critters splash, race, twirl, and chase by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Mia Powell. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Millbrook (Lerner), 2020. $20. 9781541557710
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3)—ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
What a fun look at the animal kingdom and an introduction to the concept of play.
Any teacher in elementary could use this as an extension to the way humans interact with each other and why we do what we do. And you can twirl, slide, glide your way right out the door to recess!
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

School Library Journal

“A fun way for children to realize that animals play just like them.”—School Library Journal

Booklist

“An inviting choice for animal-lovers.”—Booklist