Module 7: Orangutans Are Ticklish

Summary: A nonfiction picture book for kids 3 and up, Orangutans are Ticklish features large-scale photos of animals ranging from elephant to aardvark, and offers tidbits of information throughout, such as, “Kangaroos can’t hop backward, but they can hop forward as fast as 30 miles per hour!” The images and text highlight interesting animal facts for readers of any age.

Reference:

Davis, J., Grubman, S. (2016). Orangutans are ticklish: Fun facts from an animal photographer. New York, NY : Dragonfly Books.

Impressions: This is a wonderfully joyful nonfiction picture book created by a professional wildlife photographer, which provides little-known facts and observations about 13 popular wild animals, such as hippos, kangaroos, elephants, and chimpanzees. The huge proportions of animal to page make the book feel whimsical and charming. Gruber manages to get shots of these animals in studio that capture them doing what they would do in the wild (yawning, playing, just standing), along with explaining how they act in captivity. Davis writes entertaining nuggets of information for kids to absorb, like the animals’ eating, behavioral, and physical habits. It is a great read for kids who already love animals, and want to know more about the animals that are usually too large or wild for traditional photoshoots. Additional animal facts are located at the end of the book, to encourage further reading and education on all of the creatures featured in the book. The text is easy enough for younger children to have read to them, and for older children to read on their own.

Review:
“Terrifically vivid pictures that also show personality in abundance.” - Kirkus Review

(2010, May 1) [Review of the book Orangutans are ticklish: Fun facts from an animal photographer, by J. Davis]. Kirkus Review. Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jill-davis/orangutans-are-ticklish/

Library use: The book would be great to use during any animal program for kids ages 6 and up. It could be read as a group, with each child taking on the role as reader for one page, then collectively having a group act out animal behaviors. In combination with an animal visitor, the book is an engaging introduction into new facts about otherwise well-known wildlife.