Catchy desert twists on traditional children’s songs and poems will have children chiming in about cactuses, camels, and more as they learn about the desert habitat and its flora and fauna. Tarkawara hops on the desert sand instead of a kookaburra sitting in an old gum tree. And teapots aren’t the only things that are short and stout—just look at the javelina’s hooves and snout. Travel the world’s deserts to dig with meerkats, fly with bats, and hiss with Gila monsters! Whether sung or read aloud, Deep in the Desert makes learning about deserts anything but dry.
Written by Rhonda Lucas Donald Illustrated by Sherry Neidigh
32 pg, 10 x 8.5, Ages 3-8, Grades PK-3 Lexile: AD 500, AR: 3.1, RC: 1.7, F&P: O
Hardcover ISBN: 9781607181255, $16.95 Paperback ISBN: 9781607181354, $8.95
"Set to nursery rhyme songs like Do Your Ears Hang Low and Baa Baa Black Sheep, the words are transformed to songs about desert creatures. It’s a delightful way to combine non-fiction with singing. My husband and I sang these repeatedly at our little boy’s insistence. It turns out that I’m the only one that knows the tune to Do Your Ears Hang Low … guess all those mommy and me music classes really sank in! In this case, though, I’m singing about the Fennec Fox! This is a diabolically clever concept! I love it!" -Pragmatic Mom
"Deep in the Desert is an extremely catchy way to introduce young students to life in the desert. It is amazing to learn how various plants and animals adapt to such harsh conditions and then to see them so brilliantly illustrated by Sherry Neidigh." -Home School Book Review
"The book includes many animals, and more fun is to be had reading their stories. Sherry Neidigh's wonderful illustrations show each desert animal as an individual within its own clan." -Book Loons
Author/Illustrator Info:
Rhonda Lucas Donald (Deep in the Desert) has written more than a dozen books for children and teachers including her most recent titles: Animal Rights: How You Can Make a Difference andLife on Other Planets. In addition, she has won awards for articles and stories appearing in Ranger Rick and Your Big Backyard magazines. Rhonda specializes in writing about science, and especially likes to write about animals and space. She fell in love with science as a kid, and read every dinosaur book in school library. Weaving science into verses and songs is her way of making it fun. Rhonda shares her Virginia home with husband Bruce, dogs Maggie and Lily, and her very dignified cats, Darwin and Huxley. Visit Rhonda's website at www.BrownTabby.com or view her school visit info at School Visit Info.
Sherry Neidigh, a graduate of Ringling School of Art and Design, has been freelasnce illustrating for over twenty years. Sherry's love of animals and nature comes through in her bright, colorful art. In addition to illustrating Count Down to Fall(Fall 2009) and The Best Nest for Sylvan Dell, Sherry has illustrated several trade and education titles including Who Needs That Nose?, If I Had a Tail, and Black and White. Sherry lives in South Carolina. Visit Sherry's website.
