by Eric Hogan and Tara Hungerford
Firefly Books, 2021
ISBN 9780228103370 (sc)
$6.99, 32 pp, ages 4 – 7
fireflybooks.com
The Case of the Hanging Food Catcher is the eighth book in the “Gumboot Kids Nature Mystery Series.” The delightful, photographic illustrations feature two needle-felted mice, Scout and Daisy. Inquisitive young readers will enjoy exploring
the details of the mice and their carefully constructed, three dimensional, miniature settings. As Scout and Daisy harvest their pumpkins to make pumpkin pie, Scout tells his friend about seeing a hanging food catcher on the garden gate. Readers follow along as these two characters find clues, discover what the food catcher is, and then check their facts in a science book.
Classroom Connections: This little nature mystery is an excellent way to introduce young students to learning experiences in nature. The book ends with field notes, a glossary of terms, a labelled diagram of a spider, illustrated information boxes about spiders and webs, as well as the instructions for a nature craft.
Note: The Gumboot Kids books are adapted from the award-winning TV show which airs on CBC kids. Music, free curriculum guides, free downloadable resources (worksheets and activity books) are available at gumbootkids.com.
Review by Brenda Boreham.
This review is featured in Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Fall 2021 issue.