nonfiction

CREEP, LEAP, CRUNCH! A Food Chain Story

Knopf Books for Young Readers/Random House, December 12, 2023

Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal

ISBN: 0593565525

Follow along as a day in the life of the food chain begins. From the sun that shines on the grass and trees to the animals that feed each other, each element in nature has its place. But what happens when the food escapes? This cumulative, lyrical story will delight, with a surprise ending that all science lovers will enjoy.

Download the FREE Discussion Guide and Activities here

Download “This is the Food Chain” Song lyrics here

*Crystal Kite Award Winner, SCBWI

*Best of 2023 K-12, Pennsylvania School Librarians Association

*Finalist for Oklahoma’s 2025 Donna Norvell Award for “a book that has made a significant contribution to the field of literature for children through second grade

*Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12″ NSTA (National Science Teaching Association)

*Starred Review, School Library Journal “VERDICT: This is an excellent introduction to the food chain, and will be especially popular among elementary science teachers.”

*Kirkus “A good and read-aloud-ready way of introducing an important natural process.”

*Publishers Weekly “In this useful look at the food chain, readers see predator and prey together but never the moment of devouring, making for a STEM portrait suited to even sensitive readers. Back matter provides more about the featured flora and fauna.”

*Find out about the book’s cumulative structure, back matter, and how the title came to be in this Interview on Picture Book Builders

*Interview about Jody’s and illustrator Christopher Silas Neal’s processes on Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s blog

*Imagination Soup says, “This is a perfect STEM read aloud introduction to food chains and forest biomes” here.

*We Are Teachers “Best New Books for Kids and Teens in December 2023” here

*Author Chat with Jody Jensen Shaffer, YA and Kids Book Central here

*Book review with Sal here

*Book review with YA (and kids’)Books Central here

*Youth Services Book Review here

*Listen to my interview on The TeachingBooks Blog here

*Book review on Frog on a (B)Log here

*Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story: Making a Science Topic Accessible for Kids GROG Blog here

*Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story is on the Missouri Association of School Librarians’ Recommended Show Me Summer Reading List!

*Wonderfully thoughtful review on Unpacking the Power of Picture Books about Cumulative Picture Books here

*Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story highlighted in this article about developing readers by reading to them

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nonfiction, picture books

LIBRARIANS (Community Helpers)

The Child’s World, August 1, 2022

ISBN: 1503858324

Librarians are a vital part of our communities. They guide people to the right information, but just how do they do this important job? This book features photos and information through easy-to-read text that allows readers a peek behind the scenes at this interesting job. Additional features include a table of contents, informational captions and sidebars, a phonetic glossary, sources for further research, an index, a Think-About-It section, and an introduction to the author.

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Community helper, nonfiction, picture books, The Child's World

AIR AMBULANCE CREWS ON THE SCENE

The Child’s World, January 1, 2022

ISBN:  1503855848

Provides an inside look at the fast-paced, important, stressful, and often dangerous job of air ambulance crews.

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air ambulance, emergency services, nonfiction, picture books

HOTSHOT CREWS ON THE SCENE

The Child’s World, January 1, 2022

ISBN: 1503855872

Provides an inside look at the fast-paced, important, stressful, and often dangerous job of hotshot crews as they battle wildfires.

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emergency services, fire fighting, nonfiction, picture books

911 DISPATCHERS ON THE CALL

The Child’s World, January 1, 2022

ISBN: 1503855880

Provides an inside look at the fast-paced, important, and stressful job of 911 dispatchers.

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911 dispatchers, emergency services, nonfiction, picture books

PARAMEDICS ON THE SCENE

The Child’s World, January 1, 2022

ISBN: 150385583X

Provides an inside look at the fast-paced, important, stressful, and often dangerous job of paramedics.

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nonfiction, paramedic, picture books

ZEBRA MUSSELS (Animal Invaders)

Kaleidoscope, August 1, 2021

ISBN:  9781645195184

Zebra Mussels have taken over the rivers and lakes. Who will stand up to these invaders? This title tells the story of how Zebra Mussels invaded, their impact, and what can be done to remove them.

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invasive species, nonfiction, picture books, zebra mussels

SNAKEHEAD FISH (Animal Invaders)

Kaleidoscope, August 1, 2021

ISBN:  9781645195177

Snakehead Fish have taken over the lakes and rivers. Who will stand up to these invaders? This title tells the story of how Snakehead Fish invaded, their impact, and what can be done to remove them.

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invasive species, nonfiction, picture books, snakehead fish

FERAL HOGS (Animal Invaders)

Kaleidoscope, August 1, 2021

ISBN:  9781645195160

Feral Hogs have taken over the cities, farmland, and more. Who will stand up to these invaders? This title tells the story of how Feral Hogs invaded, their impact, and what can be done to remove them.

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feral hogs, invasive species, nonfiction, picture books

CANE TOADS (Animal Invaders)

Kaleidoscope, August 1, 2021

ISBN: 9781645195153

Cane Toads have taken over the ponds, schoolyards, and more. Who will stand up to these invaders? This title tells the story of how Cane Toads invaded, their impact, and what can be done to remove them.

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cane toads, invasive species, nonfiction, picture books