Lots of Spots

It's hard to look at this book and not immediately grab your scissors and colored paper! There is so much depth to some of the collages, moreso than I remember from some of her Ehlert's other work. This book shows us gorgeous pictures of animals with some fun poetry that describes what we are seeing. I don't know that I'd read it aloud all at once, but it seems like it'd be great for a daily dose of reading when doing a life science unit. Students could look at a few animals each day, and perhaps it could be a springboard for further research. Students could discuss why the markings are there, from both the picture and from any clues in the poem. Especially where the poem doesn't suggest purpose for an animal's markings, it would be fun show more to make up some stories. I could see this being fun for an early elementary science lesson, to keep science colorful and fun, and to build curiosity. Like most of Ehlert's work, it's also great inspiration for some art projects. show less

The cute 4 lined poems and the collage design make this a keeper of a book. I would use this in a young child's classroom to educate about animals and their appearances.

Ehlert wrote an engaging poetry book about a wide array of animals. The illustrations and short facts about each animal are informative and visually appealing. The facts that Ehlert uses are smart in that they focus on the different colors of spots, shapes, and even movements that the animals make that allow that animal to survive and thrive. I do think that since there are so many animals in this book (which is great) it would be better to read it in increments so the students can focus on retaining information rather than having so much information they can't remember anything. Since the book focuses mostly on spots, I would want the students to see if they can remember and identify the animals based on the spots they learned about. I show more could also have the students write down a sentence about anything the learned about each animal. show less

This book is highly engaging as it gives short facts about a wide array of animals. Each of the small blurbs about the animals are written in some sort of rhyming pattern. The illustrations work cooperatively with the rhymes to support what they rhymes are saying. Although the coloring portrayed in the book is not the most realistic, They author did a good job of demonstrating texture in the illustrations as well.

This book would be good a reference point to demonstrate to younger students that the way an animal looks is often functional to their survival. For instance, their coloring might help them to camouflage or help them to attract a mate. Ehlert teaches in an engaging way; however, with just a wide array of animals being talked show more about, it is challenging to focus or remember all that was discussed making this book challenging in terms of comprehension. show less

This book is one part information and one part rhyme. Each animal displayed is made up of construction paper and/or felt. Along with the appearance is a well written description that talks about the animal as well as why it has spots.

The illustrations are wonderful examples and displays of a great variety of animals. The rhymes are somewhat flat. This book really needed more extensive endnotes, more about each animal. Visually fun to enjoy, but not memorable for any other reason.

Cute and informative book for any child who loves animals.