by Marianne Berkes (Author)
Learning becomes fun in Over on a Mountain: Somewhere in the World about the ecosystem on a mountain. Sung to the tune of "Over in the Meadow", this informative and fun rhyming format and amazing artwork will inspire children in classrooms and at home to appreciate the world around us!
Discover twenty cool animals, ten great mountain ranges, and seven continents all in one story! And do it in the age-old style of children the world over--by clapping, counting, singing, and acting like . . . well, animals! What fun! Following the main story, this book is chock full of resources for parents and teachers, including facts about each of the animals featured (including the hidden animals) and about mountains. A simple world map makes it easy for children to locate the continents and the mountain ranges where the animals live. A "Tips from the Author" page has suggested activities and a "Tips from the Illustrator" page offers an interesting perspective from the artist, who created the illustrations using cut paper.
Backmatter Includes:WorldCat is the world's largest library catalog, helping you find library materials online.
PreS--Following the rhyme scheme and pattern of "Over in the Meadow," this story introduces animals from all over the world and the mountains where they reside. Each creature is shown in its natural habitat, accompanied by a picture of the continent where it can be found, labeled with the mountain range where it lives. For example, for the llama, readers will find a brief rhyme ("Over on a mountain/Grazing in the morning sun, /Lived a wooly mother llama/And her little cria one./'Roll, ' said the mother./'I roll, ' said the one./So they rolled in the dirt/Grazing in the morning sun."), a cutout of South America, with the Andes indicated. The collage illustrations are beautiful and layered with exquisite details. Readers will enjoy looking for hidden animals found on each spread; further material on the concealed creatures is appended. There is also a "Fact or Fiction" section that discusses the creative liberties the author has taken and clears up some questions that kids may have. Other sections include more information on the animals and on mountains. VERDICT A solid addition to most nature collections.--Melisa Bailey, Harford County Library System, MD
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.