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The author is very aware of what will appeal to young children. For example, as children mature and become curious about the world around them, they are often drawn to one particular subject: the animal kingdom. If asked about their favorite animal in the whole wide world, they will likely launch into a long presentation on all of their favorites, sprinkled with little facts that one cannot imagine how they must have learned. When a child develops such a curiosity, it is only natural that there be some investment on their behalf. And what better investment can a nurturing adult make than in books?
Larson made such an investment on behalf of his grandchildren and created this lovely children's book to equally educate and entertain. He takes the exciting topic of animals and turns it into a rhyming game in which listeners and readers must guess the animal being described using a special hint from an unfinished rhyme. This tactic combines the special interest of animals with the competitiveness of a game and the necessary skill of rhyming to create a fun activity for use at home or in the classroom.
Should the rhyme not be enough of a hint, Janine Schmidt's beautiful illustrations will easily help the guesser along to the finish line, providing them with a sense of accomplishment and success. Hints about the animal's nature come from all manner of sources, including its diet, footprints, favorite activities, and color patterns. Armed with a great interest in animals and the surprising arsenal of facts this book provides, any child can "listen to the rhyming hints with care, and before long the mystery creature's name you will share!"