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Bubble Homes & Fish Farts
Product Code: 16694 ISBN: 978-1-57091-669-4 Ages: 6 - 9 Availability: In stock. Price: $16.95 Shop A Local Bookstore
A Poppin Good Read! Bubbles are for popping, fishing, talking-and for sailing, keeping warm, and even shooting hoops! Who knew animals used bubbles in so many ways? Learn how the water spider builds an underwater bubble home, how snapping shrimp pop bubbles to scare other animals, and how dolphins play with bubbles as if it's a game. Whether they are riding, breathing, or making bubbles, one thing is for sure-animals use bubbles in amazing ways. Real-world science meets tongue-in-cheek humor to describe how animals use bubbles. Includes back matter and a glossary and index. This book is good for your brain becuase: Nature, Organisms & Environments, Science  Listen to a podcast about Bubble Homes and Fish Farts from Just One More Book. Read an interview with Carolyn Conahan and Fiona Bayrock on Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast Read a profile of author Fiona Bayrock in the Richmond Review Peek inside the book! Download the cover image! If you like this book, you'll love these: Also Available As:
Reviews Kirkus Reviews - January 15, 2009
Bayrock's love of "way cool science" bubbles over in this surprisingly substantial book. How do animals use bubbles? For sailing, running, bearthing, nesting--even playing (dolphins seem to blow bubbles just for fun.) Sixteen double-page spreads cover 16 wholly different ways that fish, insects, amphibians and mammals use bubbles. Did you know that one species of spider creates a bubble home to live in underwater? That the popping bubbles of a napping shrimp can be "so loud it gets in the way of U.S. Navy sonar"? That the water shrew can actually run across the surface of the water courtesy of the bubbles trapped between its hairy toes? Lively expository prose deftly combines straightforward facts (the scientific name of each animal), sound effects (the "fwap-fwap-fwap-fwap" of tree frogs creating foam) and kid-friendly comparisons (the gourami fish spitting eggs into its nest looks like it's playing basketball). Conahan's whimsical watercolor illustrations, complete with conversational bubbles, add humor and interest. Three pages of additional facts and a combined glossary/index round out a volume that's sure to rise to the top.
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Literature - March 1, 2009
If most children think bubbles are for blowing or bubbles are for bathing, Bayrock is here with a paradigm shift, showcasing sixteen different nonrecreational and nonhygenic ways that animals use bubbles. For the star-nosed mole, for instance, "bubbles are for finding food," as he blows bubbles through his nose, breathes them back in, and follows the scent to his next meal. For the violet sea snail, on the other hand, "bubbles are for sailing," and its raft of bubbles floats it along the ocean surface to "feast on food that most shelled ocean animals can't reach." Each double-page spread includes the animal's common and scientific name, a paragraph explaining the use and survival advantage of the bubbles, and a watercolor scene of the habitat. The appeal of the topic is instantly obvious even without the irresistable lure of fish farts, and this will definitely give kids a different slant on water use. The soft haziness of the watercolor renderings occasionally obscures the action of the bubbles, but the closeup views and occasional insertion of humorous dialogue in--what else?--bubbles will keep readers interested. An appendix of brief entries for each animal expand the text with habitat, size, geographic location, and an "amazing fact"--the requisite information for novice report writers--and a glossary with page references is also included.
Jen Robinson's Book Page - March 3, 2009
Bubble Homes and Fish Farts, written by Fiona Bayrock (Nonfiction Picture Book coordinator for the 2008 Cybils) and illustrated by Carolyn Conahan, is a delightful example of an early middle grade nonfiction title. I mean, what kid wouldn't be interested in reading about a variety of animals who use bubbles in creative ways? Did you know that water spiders live in bubbles, below the surface? Did you know that humpback whales work together to form a net of bubbles to "get the most fish per scoop"? Did you know that sea otters trap air bubbles in their fir, to keep cold water out? Can you think of a kid who would love to learn about these examples, and more? I can.The bubble premise works all by itself. But what takes the book over the top, for me, are the light-hearted thought bubbles included on every page. The sea otter, floating cozily on his back in the water, is thinking "Who needs a hot tub? Not me." When their tadpoles are released from a foam nest, the African Gray Treefrog parent is thinking "Don't talk to any predators." And the water spider in his bubble thinks, happily, "Cozy." The thought bubbles, while not strictly fact-based, of course, add a gentle humor to the book that I think will work well for kids. There are plenty of facts in the book, of course. The Latin words for all of the animal names are included. A section near the end fills in additional information about each creature, including size, habitat, and other "amazing facts". There's a glossary and index at the end with definitions for various technical terms, like hibernate and larva, as well as a detailed acknowledgement section that reveals the depth of scientific research that went into this whimsical book. Carolyn Conahan's watercolor illustrations are perfect for capturing the many different types of bubbles in the book. She succeeds, I think, in walking a fine line between making the illustrations accessible and humorous (wide-eyed expressions on many of the animals' faces), while still making them look realistic, and getting the information across. The soft colors lend a reflective tone to the book. (See also some extra images, like those in the book, from Carolyn Conahan. Kids can print them out and color them.) Bubble Homes and Fish Farts would make an excellent addition to any elementary school or home library. The publisher lists it as being for kids ages six to nine, and that feels about right to me (though I could imagine older siblings reading it with younger ones, too). Fiona Bayrock has taken a unique premise, researched it to find lots of interesting, factual examples, and then added (with Carolyn Conahan's help) both humor and heart. Highly recommended. School Library Journal - March 1, 2009
Fast Repetitive Tick (FaRT) is the term scientists use to describe the flatulencelike noise that herring make as they communicate their locations to one another other. That might be the most amusing description of the uses of bubbles in the natural world, but this entire book is enjoyable and engaging. From the protective hiding places young juniper spittlebugs create to the foamy nest that the African gray treefrog whips up around her freshly laid eggs in the branches above a pool, bubbles are described and pictured. The illustrations are pale and less-detailed versions of scientifically accurate drawings overlaid with entertaining comments, e.g., parent frogs admonish, "Careful, kids!" and "Don't talk to any predators!" The comments may be corny, but they infuse the information with fun. The single-page glossary defines terms simply and effectively, e.g., flatulence is described as "The scientific name for farting." Two spreads of "More amazing facts…" offer additional information about each species' habitat, location, and physical attributes. Creative, accessible, and fact-filled.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA
L.A. Parent - March 20, 2009
Charlesbridge out of Watertown, Massachusetts publishes some really awesome books for kids. A particular favorite of mine was their recent title, Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock with full-color illustrations by Carolyn Conahan.While we all adore squishy, shimmery, floating bubbles, have you ever realized they make excellent homes for Water Spiders, are a fun place to hide for the Juniper Spittlebug (did you even know there was such a thing as a Juniper Spittlebug?) and make playtime fun for Bottlenose Dolphin? I especially enjoyed reading about Snapping Shrimp. Found in coral reefs, these shrimp make a loud sound to scare animals away, communicate and also catch prey. The bubble they make by snapping their claws moves so quickly and with such great force that it produces a snapping sound as the bubble implodes upon itself. And we all thought we were so cool when we squirted water through our palms at our local swimming pool! The charming illustrations help show exactly how bubbles work above and below the water when used by animals. Helpful, too, are more facts included on the endpages as well as a glossary and index. Oh, and if you noticed I left out the fart bit, it’s because you’ll just have to get the book to learn what that’s all about! Cool Mom Picks - February 26, 2009
We made a trip to the emergency room recently with the wee one (everything is fine). She was scared, we were scared, and only maudlin humor would do. Fortunately, we had along Fiona Bayrock's Bubble Homes and Fish Farts, an entire nonfiction children's book about bubbles and their extreme usefulness to marine creatures. Illustrated by the talented Carolyn Conahan, this highly educational book finally explained to me how sea otters stay warm (bubbles) and how herrings talk (farting bubbles!). Are farts funny? Totally. Are farts funny to kids? Without a doubt. Did our extreme fit of giggles let all three of us forget for a few moments that we were in the ER? Thank goodness, yes. -Rita Abby the Librarian - March 23, 2009
Did you know that animals use bubbles in all kinds of different ways? Sea otters use bubbles to keep themselves warm. Water spiders live in bubbles under the water. Spittlebug nymphs use bubbles to hide themselves until they're full-grown. And yes, herring "fart" (Fast Repetitive Ticks or FaRTs are the terms scientists use), possibly as a way to communicate with each other.In Bubble Homes and Fish Farts, you'll learn about the ways many different animals use bubbles. It's told in a really accessible style that's sure to hook kids' interest and the beautiful illustrations include funny little text bubbles that add some humor. This will definitely be popular with any kid who likes animals (and, really, what kid doesn't like animals?). Each animal gets a two-page spread that includes information about how they use bubbles as well as their name, Latin name, and a beautiful illustration. A section in the back of the book gives additional information, including the size of the animal, its habitat and range, and more facts about it. The book also includes a glossary. And c'mon - the booktalk practically writes itself. I can picture myself standing in front of a class of third-graders and just telling them the title. They'll be clamoring for it and they won't be disappointed! Read more reviews at Jen Robinson's Book Page, The Well-Read Child, and The Miss Rumphius Effect. Don't miss Fiona's website or Carolyn's website. Fiona also blogs at Books and 'Rocks and you might want to check out Bubble Stampede where Fiona and fellow author Laura Purdie Salas blog about promoting their new books. This is a book you won't want to miss. Grand Magazine: The Online Magazine for Grandparents - May 22, 2009
Fiona Bayrock writes about way cool science from her home in rural British Columbia, Canada. Her previous books, all quirky science for kids, are used in classrooms or available via Scholastic subscription.Her work also appears regularly in children's magazines such as Highlights for Children, YES Mag, KNOW, and Odyssey. Over the years, Fiona has chased questions through most of the "ologies," talking to scientists around the world about all kinds of neat stuff, and then sharing what she finds with the most curious beings on the planet---kids. You can visit her at: http://www.fionabayrock.com. Real-world science meets tongue-in-cheek humor in this nonfiction picture book about the amazing ways animals use bubbles. Sixteen spreads each highlight a different animal and its remarkable bubble behavior---from dolphins and humpback whales to frogs, bugs, and, yes, fish farts (scientists think herring use them to communicate. Go figure.). Bubbles are for breathing, fishing, talking, riding, keeping warm, and even shooting hoops! Who knew animals used bubbles in so many ways? Lighthearted conversational text and full-bleed watercolor illustration will introduce young readers to the wonder of animals and their bubbly survival. I think this is a book that will help grandparents bridge the generation gap. It's a book about bubbles, so the farting is a very small part and scientifically explained (scientists think the fish do it to communicate, go figure!)---kids get their laugh, grandparents look cool (my grandma bought me a book with "fart" in the title!), but it doesn't push things too far and become unacceptable to adults. Booklist - June 1, 2009
This intriguing book shows the surprisingly varied ways in which bubbles are incorporated in animals’ lives. A watercolor painting fills each double-page spread, while superimposed headings identify the species and the purpose of its bubbles (“Keeping Warm,” “Running,” “Breathing,” “Playing”) and a paragraph of text explains what it does. For instance, a humpback whale swims in circles to create a “bubble net,” herding fish toward the center, where they can be scooped into its enormous mouth. Juniper spittlebug nymphs encase themselves in a mound of gooey foam that protects them until they are ready to molt. These and other animals’ techniques for creating and using bubbles are well described in succinct paragraphs. Thought balloons, carrying brief comments from the animals, add a bit of levity. A glossary and four pages of “amazing facts” are appended. Illustrated with finesse, this attractive book introduces 16 bubble makers, from insects to humans.
CM: Canadian Review of Materials - June 12, 2009
Creative, innovative and entertaining, Bubble Homes and Fish Farts examines the many different ways that animals use bubbles. Sailing, running, breathing, keeping warm, playing, fishing, talking, hiding and nesting: these are but a few. Children will immediately be drawn to the book by its catchy title- after all, what youngster can resist a book with the word “fart” in the title? Sixteen animals, representative of various groups (some examples include whales, spiders, otters, snails, herring and moths), are featured, with a double-page spread devoted to each. At the top of the page is a heading, indicating the purpose for the bubbles, followed by the common and scientific names of the animal. There is no white space around the text. Rather, a single, large paragraph is printed on the painted background that features the animal in its natural habitat. A speech “bubble” or two add humour to the text.Among other things, readers will learn how snails sail along on bubble rafts, how otters stay warm thanks to air bubbles that are trapped in their dense underhairs, and how the team effort of humpback whales enables them to catch schools of fish. But, perhaps, the fact that most readers will want to know is how herrings use “FaRTs” (which actually stands for Fast Repetitive Ticks) to communicate. Unlike true flatulence which is caused by digesting food, the gas comes from air gulped at the surface. Scientists believe that herrings “talk” to each other by FaRTing when it’s too dark to see. Who knew that bubbles could have so many purposes? At the back of the book there is additional information- habitat, size, and a paragraph explaining an “amazing” fact about each of the animals featured in the book. The illustrations, rendered in what appears to be watercolour, in pastel shades of blue, green, taupe and gray, not only suit the text but also the blurry underwater world and the fragile bubbles. A combination glossary and index provides the definitions of 14 words and the page numbers on which they can be found. A refreshingly unique perspective on a simple theme. Quill and Quire - June 1, 2009
B.C. author Fiona Bayrock fills this rather unique book with little-known facts, all connected by the delightful theme of bubbles.With a wide range of amazing animal stories -- including a spider that lives in a web bubble and a frog that lays eggs in a treetop bubble nest -- Bubble Homes and Fish Farts celebrates the wonders of nature. Each spread includes the heading "Bubbles Are For ..." (sailing, fishing, shooting hoops, etc.), a sub-heading that lists the common and scientific names of the organism in question, and a roughly 100-word block of narrative text. Speech balloons infuse the book with humour. Soft-toned watercolour paintings by Portland, Oregon's Carolyn Conahan depict a different habitat and organism on each spread. The whimsical style of the artwork renders even creatures such as spiders and fish cute and appealing, while Conahan's muted palette unites the disparate collection of organisms. The Book Chook Blog - July 3, 2009
I heard of Bubble Homes and Fish Farts during our Literacy Blog Tour, Share a Story - Shape a Future, and immediately wanted to read it. My first glimpse convinced me that kids will love this non-fiction picture book. I guarantee that any book with "fart" in the title will make them take a second look! The cover art features bubbles of gas escaping from a fish, while a spider nearby thinks, 'P.U.! That's why I live in FRESH water!' That guarantees a third look. And once they start reading, they'll be hooked.Bubble Homes and Fish Farts was written by Fiona Bayrock, illustrated by Carolyn Conahan, and published by Charlesbridge (2009). My copy is a sturdy paperback that looks like it would withstand much re-reading, and the delighted sharing of favourite pages. The book presents bite-sized facts about creatures that have something to do with bubbles. From a shrew that walks on water to scuba-diving bugs, we meet bubbles used as weapons, protection and communication. Bayrock personalizes and explains facts to kids by relating them to things they'll understand. So the rattlebox moth seems to '... say "Nyah,nyah, na-nyah, nyah" to predators.' and the male gourami seems to be playing basketball when he spits eggs into his nest. Carolyn Conahan's watercolour art is lovely. It's realistic but whimsical, if that makes sense. There is enough detail to satisfy, but an occasional animal wink or smile to accompany the speech bubbles that reveal each creature's thoughts. I love the double page fantasy spread at the beginning and end of the book - a mural of kids and critters painting and blowing bubbles on a sunny day really sets the mood for what's inside. One of the many reasons to choose this book to share with your child is that it's an excellent model of the non-fiction information text type. Fiona Bayrock makes every single word count. Her writing is wonderfully descriptive without being flowery, and the tight, active style invites us to share the author's passion for natural science. It would also make a great choice for any dad who is uncomfortable reading fiction aloud, to share with his kids. I learnt so much from this book, and honestly believe any child or adult will marvel over each fascinating fact. In the back of the book, there are more amazing facts about the bubble-makers featured inside, a glossary, and an acknowledgments page which impressed me, and made me fully understand the depth of research that went into creating Bubble Homes and Fish Farts. After reading, kids might like to do some research into another theme that interests them - camouflage say - and collect facts related to their theme. Google's new Wonder Wheel feature can assist here, by helping refine search terms. Once they've decided on their facts, and written about them, encourage children to think about how best they can present those facts to others. Maybe they could also investigate the science of bubbles, read about making two metre bubbles at Instructables, or check out Fiona Bayrock's own website for some fun bubble activities. KNOW Magazine - July 1, 2009
Bubbles are fun to blow or play with in the tub, but bubbles are useful, too. This book explores how different animals use bubbles for fishing, sailing, talking, moving, and even keeping warm. Water spiders use bubbles to build an underwater home and water shrews can run across the water’s surface thanks to bubbles. As for the farts? Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.Reviewer: Lioba Reeve, age 8 I loved the title of this book and couldn’t wait to find out more. I never imagined that bubbles could be used in so many ways. I learned a lot, like bubbles can be used for homes and some fish talk with bubbles. I especially like the pictures in this book. They are very pretty. It is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. I would give this book a 9 out of 10. Vancouver Sun: Editor's Choice - July 4, 2009
"Animals make bubbles, ride bubbles, breathe bubbles, and even live in bubbles," Chilliwack's Fiona Bayrock writes in this kid-friendly science book illustrated with soft watercolours. Sea otter fur traps bubbles for a warming "down comforter" effect. Herring gulp air at the ocean surface and then expel it in Fast Repetitive Ticks (faRTs) to signal one another.
School Library Journal's A Fuse 8 Production - August 10, 2009
When someone goes about writing a non-fiction picture book for kids they have two choices before them. They can either write a book that they know will be used strictly for curriculum use, or they can write a book about a fun and funny topic that no one has ever tackled in a picture book format before. So while Fiona Bayrock could have written yet another ocean book / fish book / sea life book / animal life book / zzzzzz, she instead decided to go a different route. A bubble route. The premise? Bubbles have far reaching applications in the natural world, above and beyond their usual uses and ramifications. And somehow or other she has managed to find not one, not two, not three or four or five but SIXTEEN examples in the wild where animals and insects have used bubbles to save, play, help, and harm. A unique idea in a singular format.Your average bubble has a whole host of applications you've probably never considered before. For creatures in the wild, however, bubbles aren't just for fun. They have practical applications ranging from the useful to the downright weird. Systematically author Fiona Bayrock introduces readers to animals like the star-nosed mole, who blows bubbles out its nose, then sucks them back in to smell for food. Or consider the rattlebox moth whose bad-tasting bubbles are so nasty even spiders will cut them free from their webs. One by one, Bayrock introduces us to bubble utilizers, ending with the only creature that uses bubbles to save other species: humans. Illustrator Carolyn Conahan provides light-hearted commentary and watercolors to complement Bayrock's text. The end of the book contains additional facts about each of these "bubble makers", including size, location, and "Amazing Facts". There is also a Glossary/Index. The format's smart. Each section begins with a sentence explaining what these bubbles can do. "Bubbles Are For Sailing", "Bubbles Are For Breathing", "Bubbles Are For Tasting - Yuck!" That sort of thing. Bayrock then uses a very natural easygoing literary style to describe precisely what makes each of these bubble-users unique. Her text is always engaging, even when the featured creature is as average as a Homo sapien. Bayrock also has a way of phrasing a section just right. The Pearl Gourami two-page spread is preceded by the introduction "Bubbles Are For Shooting Hoops". And sure enough she makes a pretty strong case for how one would consider this fish an expert basketball player. I imagine that even if a child initially picks up this book because it contains a favorite animal of theirs (like a sea otter or a dolphin) they'll find themselves drawn to other sections of the book. After all, it's hard to resist farting fish communication techniques or frogs that begin life by diving. You will note when you read the book that for each animal there's some dialogue coming from the illustrations often pertaining to the text. At first I suspected that somewhere along the line the proposition was made to spice up Conahan's lovely watercolors with this small amusing commentary from the creatures involved. These usually take the form of speech bubbles (ha ha), and are not too dissimilar from the kind of thing one sees in the margins of Cricket Magazine, the literary mag for kids. Then I remembered something: illustrator Carolyn Conahan is actually the staff illustrator for Cricket. Why, she's probably more than comfortable drawing natural creatures with snarky attitudes and quick-witted commentary! Remembering that I realized that the format of this pictures must have been in place right from the start. Seemingly simple, a closer examination of Conahan's art yields rewards. For example, there are the endpapers. At a glance I just saw two kids drawing a mural on a wall, one of them painting and the other one blowing bubbles for fun. Looking closer, though, I see that Conahan has actually worked in all sixteen of the different critters into that mural. It's actually a good way to determine how many of these bubble lovers are sea-based (twelve) and how many make do on the land (four). Her natural world is rendered in soft greens and blues, working in the whirling swirling ocean currents that make so many of these bubbles possible. In the opening image we see a girl blowing them, one floating directly in front of her eye. Considering how beautiful bubbles are, and how they have a way of whirling and swirling colors and light together, I felt a little sad that these bubbles didn't try for a little real world iridescence. Then again, it's not that kind of art style, and it's wrong to critique an artist for having their own way of looking at the world and not someone else's. Still, a little whirly swirly color would have been cool. I can't imagine that there are many schools out there where kids are handed an assignment to read a book about fine n' fancy bubble makers. What I can imagine are scores of kids who will think that bubbles make for some pretty funny stories. For the wildlife-minded child, Bubble Homes and Fish Farts takes the natural world and gives it a whole new spin. Silly and serious all at once, it may not be for every child, but for some it's bound to provide info they can't find anywhere else. Or certainly, not as well.
I live with an almost 8-year old who is crazy for nonfiction, particularly about animals. While "traditional" books about animals are always fun, he and I derive much enjoyment these days from thematic books. For example, we love the the books Teeth, Wings, and Animal Babies by Sneed Collard III. We're also enamored of the books Living Color by Steve Jenkins and How Many Ways Can You Catch a Fly? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. Well, throw another title on the thematic pile, because we've found a new favorite.
Bubble Homes and Fish Farts, written by Fiona Bayrock and illustrated by Carolyn Conahan, is an all-out fun-fest of animal bubbleology. Ho do animals use bubbles? After reading this title, a better question is how don't they?! Here's how the book begins: Bubbles are soft and squishy and full of air. They shimmer. They float. And they are very handy. Animals make bubbles, ride bubbles, breathe bubbles, and even live in bubbles. Animals use bubbles in amazing ways. Accompanied by a soft palette of gorgeous watercolor illustrations, Bayrock takes readers on a journey into worlds not often explored. Each double-page spread begins with a short sentence that describes the way in which bubbles are used. Beneath that are the common and scientific names for an animal, followed by a paragraph that describes how that particular creature uses bubbles in its daily life. The illustrations are whimsical, with each animal spouting its thoughts in, you guessed it, a bubble. There is much to learn here. Before opening the book I tried to guess what animals and/or bubble strategies might be highlighted. Whales and bubble netting? Check. Tree frog nests? Check. And ... that's where my knowledge of bubbles stopped. Who knew there were so many ways to use bubbles? All total, Bayrock has introduced readers 16 different animals and their unique use of bubbles. As for the FaRTs in the title? Well, you'll just have to read to find out. I'm not one to spoil the fun. The back matter in the book contains end notes about each animal, including its habitat, where in the world it lives, and even more amazing facts. There is also a glossary of terms and an index, as well as a lengthy list of acknowledgments, a huge number of them scientists and scholars who aided the author in her research. This is a well-researched, thoroughly engaging book for studying animals and the way they adapt to their environment. I highly recommend it. The Well Read Child - March 9, 2009
If you've been reading The Well-Read Child for a while, you may know that I'm always on the lookout for good nonfiction for kids. I'm constantly scouring book stores, libraries, and publisher catalogs to find examples of great nonfiction. Why? Because nonfiction can open doors to kids who may not like reading. Learning more about a topic that interests them could make them look for more reading material on that topic and can inspire them to read about even MORE topics they love. Good nonfiction may not be as scary as a fiction book full of prose and words and characters for kids who are having trouble reading. Good nonfiction promotes scanning and browsing. Kids can choose what they want to read, whether it's the entire book from cover to cover, captions on pictures, or one or two spreads that interest them.Bubble Homes and Fish Farts is not just good nonfiction, it's excellent nonfiction. First off, the title alone begs you to take it off the shelf and open it up, and the subject matter draws you in right from the beginning. It's all about the ways different animals use bubbles. For example, snapping shrimp scare away predators with bubbles, Weddell seals chase fish out hiding with bubbles, and rattlebox moths defend themselves with bubbles. What makes the book stand out and really work well is the approach Fiona Bayrock takes with the text. The descriptions of each animal are short but filled with fun facts, questions, and explanations that draw readers in. Take this excerpt from the rattlebox moth spread: "Most moths have drab coloring and fly at night to avoid predators. Not rattlebox moths. They flash their orange stripes and black-and-white polka dots in broad daylight as if to say, 'Nyah, nyah, na-nyah, nyah' to predators. These moths stay alive though - because they they have a secret defense." (p. 30) Don't you want to keep reading to know what that defense is? Illustrator Carolyn Conahan also adds humor to the content with short but funny thought bubbles that appear above each animal's head. More facts and a glossary in the back give kids even more information. Carolyn Conahan's whimsical illustrations perfectly complement the text, making this book a wonderful all around choice. I'd recommend it for any classroom, school, and home library and think it would make the perfect gift for kids who love to learn more about animals. What Other Bloggers Are Saying: The Miss Rumphius Effect: "This is a well-researched, thoroughly engaging book for studying animals and the way they adapt to their environment." (read more...) Jen Robinson's Book Page: "Fiona Bayrock has taken a unique premise, researched it to find lots of interesting, factual examples, and then added (with Carolyn Conahan's help) both humor and heart." (read more...) Senor Parrot's Perch - June 9, 2009
On the strength of several reviews a couple months ago, I went out and got Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock and Illustrated by Carolyn Conahan. I read it through quickly and found it quite good. I thought it would be over the head of my 6-year old, but I also thought that this book may help turn her into a junior naturalist. We learn a lot looking at the world around us and books like Bubble Homes and Fish Farts help us know what to look for and how to look. In particular, this book helps explain how animals use bubbles to survive and thrive in their environment.My family spends a lot of time exploring a local lake in kayaks or sailboats and we enjoy looking for cool stuff. My 6-year old has an old root beer bottle with a cap that she uses to collect her lake specimens, usually weeds and other floating stuff. She's already beginning to look closely at nature. As we read through the book last night I spent time talking about what we might find in the lake that's making those bubbles we see from time to time. Now, we have even more things to look for now. I then reminded her of the spittlebugs inside the foamy bubbles on many of the plants in the neighborhood that we look at while walking the dog. All this was fun for her and made a connection in her mind. Along the way in this book, I did learn about fish FaRTs, that is, Fast Repetitive Ticks. Herring, at night, swallow air and pass it out the other end, possibly using this to communicate amongst themselves in the dark ocean waters. There's an experiment for you - how do you test the communication theory? I remember when I was young, and way up north in the frigid taconite country of Hibbing, Minnesota. In winter we'd all be outside shivering and talking excitedly but never hear a word that another was saying. Our words froze up in our breath and fell onto the snow covered playground with hushed clunks. We'd pick a few of our frozen conversations up and take them inside, where they'd thaw out and produce a random, nonsense conversation as our words escaped their frosty prisons. Maybe herring farts will be like that. We just need to pop the bubbles to hear what they're saying. I can see a research grant proposal here! Stranger ones have been funded. Bookshelf: What We're Reading - March 20, 2009
By now you’ve probably realized that I love great nonfiction, but the type of nonfiction that usually hooks me is nonfiction that tells a story. An exciting event. A thrilling life. Something or someone with a story I just can’t put down. Books of facts are interesting and I page through them, but read them cover to cover? I did with Bayrock’s fact-filled fun read. The central theme in Bayrocks book is bubbles, some small, some large but all vital in some way to the life of an animal whether you are talking about the bubbles that bottlenose dolphins blow for fun or the bubbles in which African Gray Treefrogs lay their eggs. Sixteen animals in all, each with a two page spread and space in the author’s notes at the end. The list is divided among mammals, insects, arachnids and fish. Carolyn Conahan’s watercolor paintings combine acurate depictions of the various animals with a playful sense of fun that sucked my husband in after he teased me for reading about farts. The reading level may be upper fifth grade but there is only approximately 12 lines of text on each spread, not too much for a reluctant reader. A good choice for fact junkies and nonfiction lovers of all ages. Canadian Children's Book News - July 1, 2009
In Bubble Homes and Fish Farts, Fiona Bayrock introduces readers to a particularly fun and original topic--the different ways that animals use bubbles. While a lot of readers will be familiar with soap bubbles, gum bubbles, word bubbles, and air bubbles, most readers likely have no idea that a variety of animals including frogs, otters, snails, and whales use bubbles in their everyday lives. Through Bayrock's charmingly descriptive writing, young readers learn that animals can use bubbles for protection, warmth, communication, movement and more. Bubble Homes and Fish Farts is well-organized and written in a very accessible, breezy style. Also, the book contains a lot of information--over fifteen animals and their uses for bubbles are detailed. Readers will definitely find all of the information fascinating--the countless ways that animals use bubbles are incredible! For example, did you know that sea otters blow bubbles into water and then rub the bubbles into their fur to keep them warm? The book also includes a special section of additional facts, a handy glossary and a short index. With its quirky title, whismical content and beautiful watercolor illustrations, Bubble Homes and Fish Farts is the perfect read for young animal lovers of all ages.
The Book Nosher - September 20, 2009
It's hard to resist a book with such a catchy title, and this one (while sure to draw snickers at first) provides kids with some fascinating facts about the many ways that animals make use of bubbles. For kids who are nonfiction lovers, Bubble Homes and Fish Farts will provide them with lots of fun information to consider.In this enjoyable picture book, there are 16 double page spreads showing how and why different animals (fish, mammals and insects) use bubbles. Each section starts off with a simple sentence such as "Bubbles are for Keeping Warm," "Bubbles are for Playing," or "Bubbles are for Living In." Then in very clear and easy-to-understand language, Bayrock goes on to describe how the bubble works for each animal. What's so great about this book is how interesting each tidbit of information is. Here's an example: "Star-nosed moles also have a good sense of smell, even when underwater. As it swims, a mole blows bubbles from its nose and breathes them back in. A quick sniff of the bubble air tells the mole if lunch is nearby and which way to go to find it. Fish and worms--yummy meals for a star-nosed mole--leave underwater scent trails. These scents in the water mix with the bubble air. Swimming moles sniff to follow scent trails underwater just as dogs do on land." It's pretty fascinating stuff. The watercolor illustrations have an ethereal feel to them and give each page a "bubble-like" quality. The pictures are fairly realistic, and yet the animals have expressions on their faces which will draw the younger reader in. In addition, each section has little "thought bubbles" showing what the animal might be thinking in a more light-hearted way. All of these touches make Bubble Homes and Fish Farts appealing to elementary-aged kids. At the end of the book, there are more facts about each of these bubble-makers, as well as a handy glossary. For example: "Flatulence: The scientific name for farting," and "Fry: Baby fish." Quite honestly, I had never given much thought to bubbles before, but I know I will look at the natural world a little bit differently now. Boston Globe - September 20, 2009
“Bubble Homes and Fish Farts’’ by Fiona Bayrock (with illustrations by Carolyn Conahan, Charlesbridge, ages 4-8, $16.95) gets my vote for the year’s best book with the world’s worst title. That level of bathroom humor, luckily, goes no further than a few “comical’’ bubble captions per page, but most of the text, and its lush double-spread watercolor illustrations deserve wide readership.In it, Bayrock offers an elegant field guide for young naturalists. “Bubble Homes’’ also serves as an introduction to marine animals that use bubbles in various ways, from the small violet sea snail (“about the size of a large grape’’) hanging upside down “from its floating bubble raft,’’ to medium-sized sea otters who utilize bubbles of air “like a down comforter,’’ all the way to the enormous humpback whale, “with a mouth the size of a small living room’’ breathing out a “bubble net’’ with which to catch fish. The back of the book is packed with a glossary and handy appendix listing each creature’s habitat and size, offering a few additional “amazing facts’’ about each one. Conahan provides a gently humorous and creature-populated watercolor backdrop, in a palette of soft blues, grays and greens. Wild About Nature Writers - October 20, 2009
I can recall the joy that a new bottle of bubbles brought me as a child. Small bubbles, large bubbles, double-bubbles and waves of rainbow bubbles. Those floaty shimmery bubbles were magical to me. But it was not until I read this new title by Fiona Bayrock that I realized how magical they were for animals, too!The violet sea snail can’t swim. Guess what their mode of transportation is? Yes! They sail on bubbles. Most sea animals have a thick layer of fat that insulates them from the cold. Unfortunately, sea otters do not have this gift. How do sea otters stay warm? Yes! Bubbles! They blow bubbles and move the water to make even more bubbles. They rub the bubbles into their fur. Their fur is designed to keep air bubbles in and cold water out. And how about the title of the book? Thousands of herring gather each evening near the ocean’s surface and release streams of bubbles from their backsides. You might think the herring have some major digestion issues. Not so. We learn in this book that scientists think the herring use their fish farts as a way to communicate to each other without alerting predators. Fiona Bayrock shares a total of sixteen ways in which bubbles are magical for animals in this book. The back matter includes several additional "bubble-maker" facts and a glossary defining several great vocabulary words found throughout the text. Carolyn Conahan’s soft watercolors were the perfect choice to capture the beauty and magic of each creature and bubble. Carols Corner - October 31, 2009
I spend fifty percent of my time working with intermediate grade kids who are still trying to get the hang of reading. The state of Colorado calls them UNSATISFACTORY (a term that NEVER, in my mind, should be applied to a child) or PARTIALLY PROFICIENT, and much of the professional literature calls them struggling readers. A couple of months ago, I read something (and I wish I could remember what) about "developing" readers. That terms seems a lot more positive, a lot more hopeful, and a lot more appropriate, to describe kids who are still working out the reading puzzle.When I work with developing readers, I have three goals. First, I want to help them develop the heart of a reader- the attitudes and beliefs, that readers carry in their heads, e.g. reading is valuable to me, I am able to read, there are reasons to want to read, reading has value to me. Next, I want to help kids develop the skills and strategies readers need, the phonics and comprehension strategies that will help them make meaning from those funny little black squiggles on the page. Finally, I want kids to develop the voices of readers, to become fluent, to read like people talk. I put attitudes and beliefs first, because I truly believe that until kids WANT to read, see value in reading, and think they CAN read, not much else is going to happen. With that in mind, I'm always on the lookout for books that kids will WANT to read. I've found a new one this weekend. BUBBLE HOMES AND FISH FARTS, by Fiona Bayrock, and illustrated by Carolyn Conahan, begins with this introduction: Bubbles are soft and squishy and full of air. They shimmer. They float. And they are very handy. Animals make bubbles, ride bubbles, breathe bubbles, and even live in bubbles. Animals use bubbles in amazing ways. The remainder of the book is organized into two-page spreads, with each spread focusing on a different way that each of the sixteen featured animals uses bubbles. The section begins with a statement about how the animal uses bubbles, e.g. Bubbles are for fishing (humpback whales), bubbles are for talking (herring), bubbles are for nesting (African gray treefrog), followed by a paragraph of more detailed information. The illustrations are mostly pastel colors, watercolor I think. Each illustration contains a few cartoon bubbles that capture the essence of the text in a fun and different way. An appendix in the back contains more information about each animal, including scientific name, size, habitat, and a few fun facts, as well as a glossary. And don't miss the acknowledgments, with its extensive list of scientists who were consulted for this project! I can't wait to share this one with my developing readers! Kelowna.com - November 28, 2009
Gone are the days of boring science books. Information books (the ones we used to call non-fiction) make learning fun. Check out Fiona Bayrock's new book, Bubble Homes and Fish Farts (Charlesbridge). It turns out the fish are not being rude – they're talking to each other. Each whimsical page shows a creature that uses bubbles for everything from catching fish to playing basketball. A short Amazing Fact section at the end ties in the science.
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