Concept Books about Opposites

December 4 – International Cheetah Day

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About the Holiday

The cheetah is the fastest land mammal in the world and also Africa’s most endangered big cat. With fewer than 7,500 cheetahs left in the wild, these beautiful and important animals are in a race with survival. Today’s holiday was established to raise awareness to the peril cheetahs and their ecosystem are in and to urge people to come to their aid. To learn more about cheetahs and how we can help them, and to find educational information and activities to download, visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s International Cheetah Day website.

Fast Cheetah, Slow Tortoise: Poems of Animal Opposites 

By Bette Westera and Mies van Hout | Translated by David Colmer

 

The world is full of animals (and people) of all sorts. Some are slow, like a tortoise—who, begging to differ, says, “I just like to take my time” while others are fast, like a cheetah—who with a “whish-whoosh! is “outta here.” There are those who identify with the “Tidy” pig, who loves to “. . . scrub and scrub / until I’m clean./ And put a fresh curl in my tail,” and those who aren’t so persnickety—like the “Messy” warthog: “Wash and comb my hair more often? / What for? Once a year is plenty. / These tangles suit me fine.”

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Image copyright Mies van Hout, 2024, text copyright Bette Westera, 2024, translation copyright David Colmer, 2024. Courtesy of Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

In sixteen two-page spreads, Bette Westera and Mies van Hout introduce thirty-two animals who are opposites—or antonyms, for the grammatically minded—and do admirable jobs of advocating for themselves through short, free-form poems that proudly promote the traits that make them . . . well . . . them. Take the “Fancy” turkey and the “Everyday” chicken.

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Image copyright Mies van Hout, 2024, text copyright Bette Westera, 2024, translation copyright David Colmer, 2024. Courtesy of Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

The turkey and the chicken face off across the pages with the Turkey going first as it recalls in part “a quick look in the mirror: / very chic, this red collar / over those dark blue feathers. / And how do you like my tail? / The peacock pales in comparison!” The chicken, in contrast, reveals: “I don’t like frills / and frippery. / I don’t like fancy / showing off” then goes on to say “. . . just give me grayish brown / or brownish gray.”

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Image copyright Mies van Hout, 2024, text copyright Bette Westera, 2024, translation copyright David Colmer, 2024. Courtesy of Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

Each of Bette Westera’s poems, translated by David Colmer, delights with conversational rhythms and the humorous first-person descriptions within. Feisty attitudes meet plainspoken introspection meet playful nonchalance and energetic purpose—all divulged through snappy vocabulary and surprising turns of phrase. Kids will eagerly want to hear this charming read aloud again and again and will have fun deciding which of the animals they themselves most resemble. 

With her color-saturated and textured mixed-media illustrations, Mies van Hout presents kids and adults with a visual feast of expressive animals, each—like readers—with their own evident and endearing personality. You’ll want to linger awhile at every page to gaze into these animals’ eyes and fully appreciate their varied traits before meeting another pair of happy opposites.

An original take on learning—and valuing—the nature of opposites, Fast Cheetah, Slow Tortoise: Poems of Animal Opposites would be an entertaining addition for home story times as well as a terrific choice for libraries and classrooms, where the book could inspire fun writing projects.

Ages 4 – 8

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2024 | ISBN  978-0802856357

About the Author

Bette Westera is the author of the Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book Later, When I’m Big (Eerdmans) and over fifty other books for children. She has also translated books by Dr. Seuss, Astrid Lindgren, and Julia Donaldson into the Dutch language. Bette lives in the Netherlands, where her books have received two Golden Pencil awards and six Silver Pencil honors. Visit her website at bettewestera.nl.

About the Illustrator

Mies van Hout is a Dutch illustrator and author whose work has been published in over twenty countries. Her books in English include Happy, From One to Ten, This Is My Daddy!, and What Cats Think (all Pajama Press). Mies lives in the Drenthe province of the Netherlands. Visit her website at miesvanhout.nl or follow her on Instagram @miesvanhout.

About the Translator

David Colmer is an Australian writer and translator of Dutch and Flemish literature. He has translated over eighty books throughout his career, including Little Fox (Levine Querido), I’ll Root for You, and A Pond Full of Ink (both Eerdmans). His translations have won several prestigious awards, such as the PEN Translation Prize and the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize. David lives in Amsterdam.

International Cheetah Day Activity

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Cheetah Coloring Page

Learn more about cheetahs and see them in action with this video from National Geo Wild then color your own portrait of a cheetah with this Cheetah Coloring Page from the Cheetah Conservation Fund.

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You can purchase Fast Cheetah, Slow Tortoise: Poems of Animal Opposites at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

Picture Book Review

September 23 – It’s National Dog Week

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About the Holiday

National Dog Week was instituted by Captain William Lewis Judy, founder of Dog World magazine, In 1928. Captain Judy wanted to celebrate the joy and companionship we get from our pups while also reminding people of what it takes to be a responsible dog owner. As members of the family, puppies and older dogs deserve as much love, care, and respect as their humans. To celebrate this week, take your dog for an extra walk or two, get (or make) them a new toy, and don’t forget to give them an extra treat. 

Thanks to Red Comet Press and Blue Slip Media for sending me a copy of Cat & Dog: A Tale of Opposites for review consideration. All opinions on the book are my own.

Cat & Dog: A Tale of Opposites

By Tullio Corda

 

How do you make the ups and downs of learning opposites more exciting for both little ones and their grown-ups? What could be more fun than spending a little time with two natural “opposites”—like a cat and a dog? In his madcap romp, Tullio Corda lets you do just that with a couple of adorable pets. As the story opens, an “awake” cat seems to consider the dog who’s “asleep” on his mat. Could this be Cat’s opportunity to be “brave?” She decides yes. Cat leaps and grabs Dog, who, startled awake, is “afraid.”

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Copyright Tullio Corda, 2021, courtesy of Red Comet Press.

The chase is on! Cat jumps on a shelf and peeks out from behind a flower pot while Dog searches for her. Oops! Now Dog is wearing the flower pot. Does Cat care? Not so much. Dog gets to go “outside” while Cat can only envy him from her perch “inside” on the windowsill. Cat goes to the “closed” door and waits. With Mom’s help, it’s soon “open.”

There are so many birds for Dog and Cat to run after together. Look! There’s one “up high” on a branch. But Cat and Dog are “down low.” Cat knows just what to do. She climbs up and up and onto the branch. She creeps closer . . . and . . . closer . . .. Oops! That branch can’t hold Cat! “Phew!” thinks Bird.

Fortunately, Dog is there to give Cat a “soft” landing. But part of the branch follows and falls on Cat’s “hard” head. Dog is having fun with the stick, but Cat is feeling down. They tussle in the leaves on the ground. Are they “enemies?” or “friends?”

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Copyright Tullio Corda, 2021, courtesy of Red Comet Press.

Preschoolers and kindergarteners will be charmed by this dynamic duo who like to get up to shenanigans both inside and outside. While Dog and Cat chase and play in the yard, little ones learn common opposite words as well as a few pairs that will stretch their vocabulary. Tullio Cardo’s lively illustrations include plenty of spatial and emotional visual clues to help new learners guess at and understand the concepts.

Cardo also uses a variety of perspectives to introduce kids to a variety of special relationships. For children just learning to read, the bold typography facilitates sight reading and will inspire a sense of confidence in their skills and achievements. Cordo’s slapstick humor is sure to prompt lots of giggles along the way, and the sweet ending highlights the idea that opposites often make the best friends.

An engaging and entertaining story that transcends its concept book roots, Cat & Dog: A Tale of Opposites will grow with kids as they transition from adult read alouds to reading on their own. The book is a top choice for home, classroom, and public library bookshelves.

Ages 3 – 6

Red Comet Press, 2021 | ISBN 978-1636550022

Discover more about Tullio Corda, his books, and his art on his website. You can learn about how Tullio Cardo brought Cat and Dog to life in this interview in which he talks about and demonstrates his art process.

National Dog Week Activity

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Paw Print Magnet

 

Whether you have a dog or a cat, a print of your pet’s paw makes a cute magnet for your fridge or locker to give you a paw . . . I mean hand . . . holding those important messages and pictures. Here’s how to do this easy craft with your pet.

Supplies

  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Cookie cutter (optional)
  • Bowl
  • Wax paper
  • Strong multi-surface glue or hot glue gun
  • Strong magnet, available at craft stores
  • Paint (optional)

Directions

  1. Mix the flour and salt in the bowl
  2. Slowly add the water and mix the dough, kneading it until it is smooth and soft. Add more water if necessary.
  3. Roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick
  4. Place the dough on the wax paper
  5. Carefully press your pet’s paw into the dough. 
  6. Place the cookie cutter over the print and cut out or shape the dough by hand
  7. Bake the paw print at 250 degrees for 1 to 2 hours depending on thickness of dough
  8. If desired, paint the print, the background, or both
  9. Attach the magnet with the glue

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You can find Cat & Dog: A Tale of Opposites at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

September 3 – It’s Happy Cat Month

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About the Holiday

A happy cat is a joy forever! Today, we celebrate those feline pets who give their owners so much happiness. To honor the holiday, why not give your kitty a special treat. It’s also a great day to make sure that your cat or kitten is current on all medical appointments to keep your pet healthy and happy!

Black Cat, White Cat

By Silvia Borando

 

“Ever since he was a kitten, Black Cat has been entirely black….from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail.” White cat is entirely white “from the tip of her nose to the tip of her tail.” Black Cat likes to roam during the day and watch the black swallows swoop through the sky. White Cat prefers nighttime when the twinkling stars gleam.

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Copyright Silvia Borando, courtesy of Candlewick Press

Black cat becomes curious about the night, though, and asks his friend Blackbird what he could see in the darkened sky. Blackbird doesn’t know because he is asleep in his nest during the night. Blackbird suggests that Black Cat go out when the sun goes down and “see what you can see.” At the same time White Cat wonders what the daytime holds. She asks her friend Snowy Owl, but Snowy Owl doesn’t know because she is always asleep by the time the sun comes up. Snowy Owl suggests White Cat go out during the day and “see what she can see.”

Copyright Silvia Borando, courtesy of Candlewick

Copyright Silvia Borando, courtesy of Candlewick Press

With good wishes from their friends, both Black Cat and White Cat head off on their new adventures, and somewhere between day and night, Black Cat meets White Cat. They tell each other where they are going and invite the other along with them. They agree, and so “White Cat takes Black Cat to discover the night.” Then Black Cat introduces White Cat to the day.

“The night is full of wonder. ‘Purr, purrrr, look at those glittery, fluttery fireflies,’” Black Cat says. “And the day is full of surprise. ‘Meow, look at those busy, buzzy bumblebees,’”  White Cat exclaims. Black Cat shows White Cat all of his favorite daytime things, such as “daisies, doves, and butterflies…” while White Cat dishes up the most delicious nighttime goodies—“snakes, bats, and mice.”

From then on Black Cat and White Cat are inseparable whether it’s daytime or nighttime. “So inseparable, in fact, that they have one, two, three, four, five, SIX… KITTENS! And can you guess what color they are? Orange!”

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Copyright Silvia Borando, courtesy of Candlewick Press

In her adorable book that proves opposites really do attract, Silvia Borando presents two cute cats that live in only half the world until their curiosity and friendship broaden their horizons. Borando’s gentle, lyrical language elevates this concept book to include the ideas that treasures can be found outside one’s comfort zone and that mutual sharing of one’s life and favorite things leads to strong relationships–even magic and sometimes the seemingly impossible! The soft curves of the figures and stark white-on-black and black-on-white pages make for striking illustrations that will delight even the youngest child.  The final spread of the six orange kittens will delight little readers.

Wonderful for story time or bedtime, Black Cat, White Cat is a sweet addition to home libraries for young readers.

Ages birth – 5

Candlewick, 2015 | ISBN 978-0763681067

Whether it’s day or night, watch this Black Cat, White Cat book trailer!

Happy Cat Month Activity

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Cute Cat and Kittens Coloring Page

 

Here is a happy cat and her new little kittens! Enjoy coloring this printable Cute Cat and Kittens Coloring Page!

Picture Book Review