Fur, Feather, Fin--All of Us Are Kin

Title: Fur, Feather, Fin--All of Us Are Kin
Author: Diane Lang
Illustrator: Stephanie Laberis
Publisher: Beach Lane Books
Copyright: May 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1481447096
Age Range: 3-8
Reading Level: AD590L
Cost: $17.99
Pages: 48


SUMMARY: This cleverly written explanatory informational title takes the reader on a journey through the various species on Earth and how we are all connected "kin." Lang uses rhyming language to describe mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, arthropods, water dwellers, and even explains detritivores.  The illustrator beautifully illustrates the metamorphosis of salamanders, frogs, and newts.  Learn exactly what makes a reptile different from an amphibian, and a bird from a fish.

CRITIQUE: It's not just the rhyming verse that is spot on, but the delightful illustrations that perfectly accompany the words.  The title tastefully shows mammals nursing their young, and shows the diversity of human families as well.  The variety of animals shown is also extensive.  Of course every creature cannot be included, but the inclusion of detritivores was a nice surprise.  With lines like "detritivores, so oft forgotten, dine on things both dead and rotten," explores worms and bugs that live in the damp and dark.  While this title has not officially won any awards yet, it was just published in May, it did receive a starred review from Kirkus.  Kirkus stated:

"Major similarities and differences among six classes of animals—and two additional animal categories—are explained with the aid of simple rhymes and sophisticated art.

A text that aspires to reveal nature facts using rhythm and rhyme can easily fall into pitfalls—sometimes sacrificing meaning for good scansion or vice versa. Amazingly, this book manages to convey elemental facts about animals with verse that both scans and informs."

FEATURES INCLUDED: At the very end of the book the author provides information answering the following questions: What Does that mean? How are we the Same? How are we different, We can help animals right now! How? Want to learn more? The author recommends two books: Wildlife of the World (DK Publishing, 2015) and Animal! (DK Publishing, 2016).  The author also lists animal websites as well as her own which includes activities to download: dianelang.net

EXAMPLES:

The book begins with a two page spread showing children exploring a tide pool and introduces the kin theme, "we're all linked in families."

Here the illustrator shows diversity with both families and culture showing that we are mammals too just like whales, bears, and cats shown on the previous page.

Here you begin to see what makes the amphibian babies and their eggs different from other animals.  Again a lovely two-page spread is presented.  Each new category of animals is labeled in bold before the rhyme begins.

COMPARISONS/RECOMMENDED READING:

School Library Journal recommends pairing Grandmother Fish: A Child's First Book of Evolution with Fur, Feather, Fin. Grandma Fish describes the history of life on the planet and how we are all connected.  Perform the actions along with the various animal kingdoms described in the book.  The title could be used as a companion piece.


Booklist recommends pairing with Jenkins & Page's Creature Features . This title explores what makes various animals features unique and helps them adapt to their environments.  This title is not as much of a comparison, but rather complements by digging deeper into what various animals eat and where they live and why they may look strange.



Fur, Feather, Fin provides a rhyming overview of the various animal kingdoms, but does not dig deep into the myriads of animals in those kingdoms.  The First Animal Encyclopedia would provide the details.  This encyclopedia is age appropriate and uses actual photographs to explore the various animal kingdoms.  Again this title would make a nice companion.




SUGGESTED USES: Fur, Feather, Fin would definitely be an excellent read-a-loud to the class to prompt animal discussions.  In Indiana first graders are asked to describe the unique and commonalities organisms have.  In second grade students learn about the variations in physical features living organisms have.  In third grade students explore how animals internal and external structures support survival, etc. This title discusses what makes the various living creatures alike and different.  After reading this title I would have my students each choose a kingdom/type of animal and research in-depth the various characteristics (habitat, foods, prey, babies) this kingdom has. The following Indiana State Standards could be addressed using this book:

1.LS.1 Develop representations to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death.
1.LS.3 Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
1.LS.4 Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live
2.LS.2 Compare and contrast details of body plans and structures within the life cycles of plants and animals.
2.LS.3 Classify living organisms according to variations in specific physical features (i.e. body coverings, appendages) and describe how those features may provide an advantage for survival in different environments
3.LS.1 Analyze evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and that variation of these traits exists in a group of similar organisms.
3.LS.3 Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.