The Wildlife Winter Games

by Richard Turner, Ben Clifford (Illustrations)

Readers are given simple, informative descriptions for ten sporting events featuring a range of dynamically illustrated creature competitors. Fun summaries describe the unique skills each creature would bring to the sports and invite readers to predict who will win the gold, silver, and bronze medals. This whimsical yet fact-filled book teaches children about the attributes of various animal species and encourages them to apply critical thinking to choose possible winners. “Clifford’s illustrations are as riveting as the competitions he depicts a host of arctic and antarctic creatures in fine, naturalistic detail but places them in action poses, sporting athletic gear and game faces.” ―Booklist (U.S.)

Genres: Picture Books

36 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2019

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual story line that challenges young readers to make their own decisions to choose between a range of Arctic and Antarctic animals competing in their own Winter Olympics. The opening double page sets the purpose as a challenge. The remaining double pages introduce 3 disparate animals competing in a specific sport. The text provides information to help readers decide on the place order. There are no given answers - this is fantasy game after all. I think that some more specific coverage of different attributes would add depth to the story.

Clifford’s illustrations superbly capture strengths and weaknesses in the contestants in strikingly realistic paintings. The backgrounds are nearly ethereal in capturing the snowy settings and spectators, complimenting but not competing with the three animals in each sport.

A great book as a springboard for researching animals, introducing winter Olympic sports and for stimulating discussion and debate with students justifying their choices.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

An elementary and up picture book about animals competing at a winter olympics. Each two page spread features a winter sport and three animals competing along with their special skills. No winners are announced.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations, and such a clever book!

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice introduction to Arctic and Antarctic animals and their various traits. The writing was pretty clunky and didn't flow well when read aloud.