Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature

by Marcie Flinchum Atkins

If you were dormant / waiting out the cold, the dry, the heat / you would pause. Captivating photos of animals accompany simple, engaging text to explain dormancy in nature. This highly curricular book teaches young readers about different kinds of dormancy and which animals do what. Featuring creatures like ladybugs, chickadees, squirrels, and even alligators, this book won't put curious kids to sleep! "A refreshingly original exploration of a physical process both common and important in the natural world."―starred, Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature, Science, Animals, Childrens, Stem

32 pages, Library Binding

Published September 3, 2019

Reviews

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre ~ children's non-fiction
Publication date ~ September 3, 2019
Est Page Count ~ 32
Audio length ~ 5 minutes
Narrator ~ Book Buddy Digital Media
POV ~ 2nd

A nice little non rhyming, informative book great for children aged 4-9.

Dormant items discussed: you, trees, ladybugs, arctic ground squirrels, chickadees, alligators, earthworms

I had two favorites:
The ladybug
~ they fatten up, pile up, stiffen up and swarm into a ladybug pile sharing warmth together
~ then pause
~ then in the Spring they wiggle awake, feast, flit away

The arctic ground squirrel
~ they pack on fat, become as cold as the air, barely move
~ then pause
~ then every few weeks they shiver for hours to warm up
~ as days grows longer their heart quickens and they scurry around to find food

I ordered a copy from the library so that I could comment on the pictures:
~ I like that they are photos and not illustrations
~ there are some great shots that really show what is going on
~ I especially like the photo showing the tiny leaf blanket wrapped around the buds of the tree limbs
~ the sleeping mama and baby bear snuggling is super cute

In addition to the photos, I liked the section on dormancy differences, which goes into more detail on:
~ plant dormancy
~ diapause ~ insect dormancy
~ hibernation ~ during cold weather
~ torpor ~ short term hibernation
~ brumation ~ reptile and amphibian dormancy
~ estivation. ~ during hot or dry weather

Narration notes:
This is the first time I've listened with a narrator like this and it sounded perfect, not robotic at all.

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[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely read! This children’s book has a nice lulling quality that is perfect for a bedtime story.

*Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this to anyone embarking on a study of dormancy with young children. It is written with engaging, slightly poetic text that is not overwhelmingly scientific or detailed but provides insight and education. For example,

"If you were a dormant tree, you would...
CHILL,
REST,
PREPARE.
In your limbs,
a sugary liquid would protect you
from freezing inside.
Tiny leaf blankets wrap around your buds.
You would pause.
[next page]
In spring...
DAYS LENGTHEN,
TEMPERATURES RISE,
YOU UNFURL!"

I appreciate that a variety of living things are included here: trees, ladybugs, Arctic ground squirrel, chickadee, alligator and earthworm. The accompanying photographs are wonderful.

This so highly informative for children (and adults!) whose understanding of dormancy is limited. The natural world is way too exciting to stop at "bears hibernate" (which, actually, they may not!) and this book is a great first step for younger readers. The back matter goes deeper explaining "Dormancy Differences" which includes an explanation of what dormancy is and then different types of dormancy covered in the book proper: plant dormancy, diapause, hibernation, torpor, brumation and estivation. Also includes suggestions for further reading and research.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audiobook version of Wait, Rest, Pause really needs to be paired with the picture book version. When accompanied by the pictures and text, this audiobook would be a great reading lesson for small children, as well as an awesome beginning science lesson about dormancy.

The book talks about dormancy in a wide variety of living things from plants and trees to insects and animals. This would be a great book to read to little ones in the fall and winter when they are seeing the changes in the plants all around them and see the squirrels frantically gathering food or geese flying in their V formations.

This book touches on a very important science lesson and simplifies it for younger children. I only had the audio, but looked up some of the photos from the print book online. Beautiful! For a preschool age child or for early reading lessons, this would be a beautiful audio book to pair with the full color photos of the print book.

I will be honest and say it took me most of the book to get used to the narrator. I do understand the necessity of carefully pronouncing words to help young children who are new to sounding out words....but he goes a little overboard with it. I would never read to a child in such a slow, over enunciated fashion. But I'm not a child.....a younger child might like the narrator taking care to pronounce each word carefully.

All in all, this audiobook could have great educational use with small children just starting to learn to read, or those who want to learn more about the seasons and the changes they bring.

Great book!

[Zaghol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waktu sekolah dahulu pernah belajar hibernasi sahaja, tak tau pulak ada banyak jenis lagi iaitu pokok dorman, diapaus, torpor, brumasi dan estivasi. Nak tahu apa benda jargon yang aku lemparkan ni boleh baca e-buku ni di :

https://pnm.overdrive.com/media/4843186

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature by Marcie Flinchum Atkins is a non fiction picturebook. It is full of beautiful photos of animals accompanied by text about dormancy in nature. Featuring creatures like ladybugs, chickadees, squirrels, and even alligators, this book should not put curious kids to sleep!

Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature exceeded my expectation with the images used. The photographs were absolutely wonderful, and worth looking through the book for. I was also very excited by the additional information about types of dormancy, and suggestions for further reading- both with books and online. However, the heart of the book felt flat for me. The images were wonderful, and the placement and varied fonts for the text were very visually engaging. I found the text itself to be a little clunky, not that I expect or want all books for children to rhyme, but there should be a comfortable cadence for reading aloud. I liked the intent of the book, and think the design was great, but the book just did not match my high expectations.

Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature is visually stunning, and has great endpages information, but did not wow me as a whole.

[Cynthia Corral · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rather charming book, supposedly for young readers, but I think adults would quite like it as well. I mean, who knew ladybugs lived through the winter?? Or that worms knotted themselves up in dormancy? I didn’t.

There are really interesting photographs to look at, and a lulling repetitiveness to the simple words much like Goodnight Moon. The blurb says it won’t put you to sleep, and while I agree the book will hold your attention, a young child reading this before bed could go to sleep with some very fuzzy, happy dreams. And everyone will learn something!

Thank you to NetGalley and Millbrook Press for the copy in exchange for an honest review. I think the book is great for adults, amazing for kids, and a must-have for libraries.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book. Educational for all ages. Accessible for tots. Photos... that are even more informative and appealing than even the best paintings. Glossary/ note with even more information. Further reading bibliography that includes both books and websites. I'm giving this five stars because I do indeed believe that everyone should read it, or at least admire the beautiful pictures and design. Should be a model for other writers of non-fiction for children.

I will look for more by the author, and recommend this to everyone I know.

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple but poetic childrens book all about dormancy in nature. Full of all sorts of creatures from ladybugs to alligators. Great educational book for children and adults alike.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous pictures!

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the simple, picture-book style explanations of how different animals hibernate. It did feel like a little bit of an overload of verbs at times. I liked the big, clear photos in the illustrations!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous photos, and good info presented simply enough for little ones to understand, with fuller descriptions in the back matter.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would be a good way to introduce the idea of dormancy as an adaptation strategy. Could be used in a unit on fitness.

[Jason Muckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Wait, Rest, Pause," by Marcie Flinchum Atkins is a cute non-fiction story for kids about the winter and how plants and animals go dormant to survive during the cold months and then spring back to life as the sun returns. The book includes many beautiful pictures of trees, animals, birds and their methods of dormancy to remain alive.

There is an informative glossary for kids at the back of the book regarding the different types of dormancy that different types of plants and animals experience.

I received this eBook free of charge from Lerner Publishing Group - Millbrook Press via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I did not receive any fiscal compensation from either company for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

We had snow in Denver last night. It was very cold, but when I woke up, the sun was out and sparkles were everywhere. As I stood and watched for a while, two chickadees were busy at a large cottonwood in my garden. It is old with deep grooves in the bark and that is where they were, digging into the grooves -finding breakfast! I've read that they hide seeds in those grooves and return on cold winter days to eat.
I tell this story because Marcie Flinchum Atkins includes the chickadee in her book explaining 'dormancy' in nature, how plants and animals enter it, using the minimum of energy to survive. This isn't always in the winter months. For some, like the crocodile, just a cold spell can make them "pause" and burrow into the mud until it warms up again.
Atkins has created a book that feels poetic, celebrating the evolutionary characteristics of animals and plants when they go dormant. She uses that word "pause" to great effect in varied situations. She asks readers to imagine being that creature, then tells what "you" would do. For example, she writes "If you were a dormant chickadee on a cold winter night, you would . . . cool down/slow your heart/save energy. For just a few hours, you would pause." She continues with the next step, in case of the chickadee, it would wake up and fly.
I enjoyed that included are a variety of living things like trees, ladybugs, Arctic ground squirrels and alligators. Each one differs in its surviving action. Some go into this "pause" for only a few hours, like the chickadee, and others rest for a whole season, like trees. Also, various awakenings are explained, as in leaves unfurling on trees or ladybugs which "wiggle awake, feast, flit away."
Back matter explains the different terms of dormancy: diapase, hibernation, torpor, brumation, and estivation. One interesting fact included here is that some scientists use the word "torpor" for bears in winter instead of "hibernation".
Each part, whether going into dormancy or coming out, is illustrated with beautiful close-up photos. There is further reading which includes books and websites and photo acknowledgments. Because Atkins mentions Laura Purdie Salas' poetry book Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle: How Animals Get Ready for Winter, here is my review which I also shared on Kidlit Frenzy.
Wait, Rest, PAUSE - dormancy in nature is a book that adds an extra for learning about changes in the environment that cause changes in animal and plant behavior, showing it is not only "hibernation", but more complex and varied in nature. It's a terrific book!

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book explores hibernation and other forms of dormancy in cold weather. The book looks not only at animals, but at trees as they enter their own dormant winter period. Ladybugs gather together for warmth and pause until spring. Ground squirrels hibernate, shivering for hours to keep warm. Chickadees slow their hearts and pause on cold nights until the next day. Alligators sink into the mud. Earthworms go dormant during a drought until water returns. Then when water or warmth comes back, everyone returns to full life once again.

The breadth of subject matter here is impressive and makes the book far more fascinating than just being about hibernation. The writing is poetic with recurring phrases that call for the dormant species to pause… and the reader will naturally do the same. Each creature is approached in a similar way, making for a book that reads well aloud and also creating a cohesiveness that this broad a subject requires. The book ends with definitions of different types of dormancy and a bibliography for further exploration of the subject. The photographs in the book come from collections such as Getty Images and stock photos. They work well here, offering glimpses of the species dormant as well as active.

An interesting science book that will share well with a group. Appropriate for ages 4-7.

[Carolyn Combs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief overview: When children ask how animals and plants survive plummeting or soaring temperatures, or drought, turn to this wonderful expository literature picture book about dormancy. With clear, engaging language and vivid photographs, Marcie Atkin’s reveals how trees, mammals, and other kinds of animals handle nature’s extremes. You’ll see muddy beds, scaly crevices, and dry burrows where animals wait out harsh conditions, and you’ll learn how their bodies cope. The quiet of dormancy on one spread strikingly contrasts with the liveliness of the non-dormant state on the next. Since dormancy comes in several flavours, the back matter details some of the different kinds of dormancy and their associated vocabulary. Both children and adults will likely learn something new about waiting, resting, and pausing.

What I love about this book: Everything! I love how the text draws the reader in and helps them relate to the organisms by using the second person “you” point of view. I love the strong verbs(unfurl, stiffen, flit and rev, to name a few). I love how the stunning photographs and layout accentuate the stark contrasts between dormant and non-dormant states, creating thrilling page turns. The book begins and ends with an adorable bear cub- the perfect touch. Treat children ages 4-8 to the wonders of dormancy.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor Narration

Audiobook Review:
This audiobook would certainly be better appreciated as just a physical book or ebook or one of those paired with the audiobook. There aren't many words to this book, making it a little uninteresting just to listen to, but I think that seeing the pictures of these animals and their habitats would make it much more interesting. I was not a fan of the narration. For whatever reason, the narrator (or the publisher) chose to have this read so that Each. Word. Was. Very. Distinct. The narrator left unnatural pauses between words. I think children would find that rather silly, as I am sure that if their parents read to them they do so in a more natural tone. As I did receive a free audiobook of this, I can't comment on the actual photographs or drawings included. Based on the words alone, it sounds like this was meant for very young children.

I received a free copy of this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

[Margaret]

There comes a time when all living things need to seek stillness. For many, daily rest is required. For others, their slumber is on a seasonal cycle. It seems we humans, whose lives seem increasingly at a frantic pace, would do well to take note of the natural world around us. Our overall physical and mental health is directly related to how well we sleep when we sleep.
A pairing of stunning photographs with a rhythmic narrative gives readers an intimate look at the wonders of nature. This second title, Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy In Nature written by Marcie Flinchum Atkins will have individual readers pausing at page turns and listeners gasping at what they see as they move closer to the reader. After generations of adapting, plants and animals know how survive in the harshest of conditions as seasons and weather change.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Kai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Lerner Audiobooks for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve seen a lot of reviews commenting on how beautiful the photos are and obviously since I have an audio version, I can’t comment on those. The photos would definitely have made this experience better. If you had this audio *as well as* the picture book in front of a child, it’d probably be a lot better. I found the audio to be pretty slow with nothing to look at - it made it hard to hold a thought. That being said, the book sounds interesting, but I don’t think it can stand alone as an audiobook. The narrator is okay, but without the photos, this book is boring. The audio/text could frame photos or illustrations well, but by itself, I’m not a huge fan. Overall, good idea for a book, fun facts, audio is not the best option if you’re going to read it though.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“For some plants and animals, slowing down is the key to survival. Marcie Flinchum Atkins' gorgeous debut picture book expertly pairs lyrical text with breathtaking photographs to bring dormancy to life. A tree, a squirrel, a chickadee, and a worm are just a few of the organisms spotlighted. By revealing their secrets to surviving snowy winters, chilly nights, and withering droughts, this amazing book invites nature-loving readers to experience the beauty of nature standing still and holding its breath”. (Richard Ho, www.amazon.com) Perfect for an Animals in Winter or animals in the desert unites, but also great to be used for social/emotional intelligence -- can you pause like the ladybug?-- alongside Quiet by Tomie de Paola and A Stone Sat Still by Brenden Wenzel.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childrens non-fiction. I had heard a lot about this book, so I went in with high expectations. I absolutely love the photographs in this, with multiple photographs on very page. The text has a nice rhythm to it as well, discussing how each plant/ animal slows down on one page and then speeds up on the next page. The back matter is great, with in-depth info on various types of dormancy, way beyond the simplistic understanding that some animals hibernate. This would be great to discuss various types of dormancy, animals in different weather, or even tie it to animal adaptations in a broader sense. A beautiful book just to read, and also a wonderful source of information.

[Richard Ho · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some plants and animals, slowing down is the key to survival. Marcie Flinchum Atkins' gorgeous debut picture book expertly pairs lyrical text with breathtaking photographs to bring dormancy to life. A tree, a squirrel, a chickadee, and a worm are just a few of the organisms spotlighted. By revealing their secrets to surviving snowy winters, chilly nights, and withering droughts, this amazing book invites nature-loving readers to experience the beauty of nature standing still and holding its breath.

[Jenna Grodzicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wait, Rest, Pause is a lyrical discovery of how animals and plants survive during extreme cold or drought. While many children might know what hibernation is, this book adds to that process by introducing several kinds of dormancy. The information is presented in a relatable way for elementary aged children. The back matter includes detailed definitions of torpor, diapause, hibernation, brumation, and estivation. The gorgeous photographs paired with the lyrical text make this a must have for any classroom or library.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find that most nonfiction books for kids are, well, boring. Marcie Flinchum Atkins happily breaks this mold with "Wait, Rest, Pause", her children's book about dormancy in natures. With simple but informative text arranged appealing on the page, she teaches about how everything from chickadees to trees to alligators survive through the winter into spring. My favorite part was the breathtaking photos! A fun book for anyone from toddlers to preschoolers (they won't even realize how much they're learning!).

[Cathy Mealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcie Atkins introduces the slow side of Nature's wonder - hibernation and other forms of dormancy. During periods of cold, Atkins reveals how animals, trees and even insects enter winter waiting for the warmth of spring.

Detailed photographs and a broad swath of subject matter enrich this book, highlighted by lyrical language and poetic phrases. Including definitions on types of dormancy and a bibliography for further exploration of the subject, this makes a great resources for classroom, library or home readings.

[J. d'Merricksson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wait, Rest, Pause by Marcie Flinchum Atkins is a charming little book that teaches kids about dormancy and how different animals (and plants!) handle it. The language is very poetic, and the photos are gorgeous. At the end, each type of dormancy is explained in further detail. There's also a suggested reading section. A great teaching tool for classrooms, or the perfect gift for nature-loving kids.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Lerner Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple explanation of hibernation and other states of "pausing" like torpor, plant dormancy, diapause, brumation and estivation (many of which I'd never heard of before I read the author's note at the back of the book). Nature photographs accompany the simple text, ie:

If you were a dormant ladybug, you would fatten up, pile up, stiffen up. You would swarm into a ladybug pile, sharing warmth together. You would pause. In spring you...wiggle awake, feast, flit away.

A great science book for younger elementary age, or even preschoolers.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dormancy is another winter term and event that happens outdoors through the cold months. (It also happens during drought, but I didn't bring that up during our snowy, cold winter.) I loved the large photographs paired with each creature in the book. I also appreciated the waiting, the pausing, the stillness of winter. This book would pair well with April Pulley Sayre's books. It also can go with Jim Gill's song Can't Wait to Celebrate.

2020 Storytime theme: Hibernation

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Kelly]

I love books with photos. I thought what was distinct about this book was how it talked about dormancy in nature. It wasn't the usual "bears hibernate, but they actually don't, they just go into torpor." It uses different font to show what you would do. It says "If you..." and then uses an all caps font. It also has repetition which is good for this age, saying "You would pause." I like that there are multiple pictures of the same animal doing things in and out of dormancy.