2008-2009 Texas 2 X 2

Babies In the Bayou

by author and illustrator Jim Arnosky is a 2008-2009 Texas 2 x 2 book that deals animals in the wild and the cycle of life. The author uses simple language and a repeated refrain to describe the animals that live in a bayou. The beautiful acrylic colors he uses in his illustrations makes this story more inviting. It all begins with an alligator and her babies. Then it moves on to a raccoon with her babies in which she teaches them how to dig for turtle eggs. We then follow the baby turtles journey into the water. In the next picture we see baby ducks and their momma which drives them away from danger. Ultimately, we are taken back into the alligator illustrations whom are eyeing the ducks for dinner.

This book teaches young children about wild animals, their habitats, and nature's ecosystem. I love the vivid adjectives the author uses to describe each animal. This would make a cute addition in the science section of our classroom library.