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(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Dan Santat.
A platypus ("DUDE!") and a beaver ("DUDE!") hit the waves with their surfboards. When one spots a shark in the distance ("DUDE...?"), the surf buddies scramble for shore ("DUUUUUDE!"). "Dude" is a surprisingly malleable word, making it a good fit for a one-word (well, almost) yarn. The elastic facial expressions of the three main players in the colorful illustrations say everything the text can't.
32 pp.
| Amazon/Two Lions
| April, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5039-3920-2$17.99
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Jackie Urbanovic.
Platypus tries to play with the kangaroos, dingoes, possums, and fruit bats, but he never quite fits in, and his clumsiness earns him the name "Splatypus." Eventually, he discovers swimming with other aquatic animals and realizes where he belongs. The rhyming text is full of onomatopoeic tongue twisters ("HOBBLE, BOBBLE, WIGGLE, WOBBLE"). Comical illustrations prominently feature Platypus's blue feet and bill against dusty outback scenes.
(4)
K-3
Fabulous Animals series.
Both books begin with European settlers landing in Australia and seeing "strange animals" for the first time, then trying to determine what they are. Indigenous Australian legends are also touched on. The flow of information isn't always straightforward, but eye-catching photos and accessible texts give readers a sense of these creatures and their special features. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Fabulous Animals titles: The Story of the Kangaroo and The Story of the Platypus.
(3)
4-6
The platypus detectives undertake their fourth adventure fighting crime and political corruption in all-animal Kalamazoo City. This time, a narwhal appears to be on a crime spree and the panda mayor is secretly working against the police. While the dialogue and setting echo old-fashioned noir tropes, the numerous black-and-white cartoon drawings should draw in fans of Krosoczka's popular Lunch Lady graphic novels.
32 pp.
| Candlewick
| February, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-8098-5$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Mark Jackson.
A platypus--"one of the world's most puzzling animals"--leaves its burrow and searches for food. Lyrical main text and straightforward statements (in a different font) provide a good deal of information about this animal, one of only two monotremes (egg-laying mammals; echidna is the other). Mixed-media illustrations in greens and browns, atmospherically sketchlike, depict the Down Under habitat and creatures. Ind.
(4)
K-3
Comparing Animal Traits series.
Each presentation covers appearance, habitat, skill, and traits for its subject while also comparing and contrasting the focal animal with other mammals by text, photos, and charts. Some comparisons seem natural (similar-looking African elephants and white rhinos); some surprisingly revealing (both sperm whales and vampire bats use echolocation); some random, without relevant comparative features (grizzly bears and titi monkeys). Reading list, websites. Bib., glos, ind. Review covers the following Comparing Animal Traits titles: African Elephants, Gray Wolves, Grizzly Bears, Humpback Whales, Mountain Gorillas, Platypuses, Siberian Tigers, and Vampire BAts.
(4)
4-6
The Platypus Police Squad is on the case again in this third mystery set in animal-inhabited Kalamazoo City. When a mayoral candidate, Frank Pandini, is attacked by a boomerang, hardboiled platypus detective Rick Zengo is hired as the panda's bodyguard. Most of the fun lies in the old-fashioned crime-fighting tropes and silly gags. Black-and-white cartoons add to the charm.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
James Dean.
Pete, the chill black cat who rocks, is excited about new neighbor Gus, a platypus. Pete helps Gus join the gang by trying different activities that fit Gus's species-straddling physical limitations. Music, to everyone's delight, is just the thing. The text's clunky rhymes are unfortunate, but the bright, silly illustrations match the book's offbeat tone without overwhelming the theme of acceptance.
221 pp.
| HarperCollins/Walden Pond
| May, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-207166-8$12.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-06-207167-5
(4)
4-6
Platypus detectives Zengo and O'Malley return for another crime-busting adventure. All of Kalamazoo City is excited about the new indoor/outdoor amusement park under the city dome, also the location for an upcoming blockbuster film. Things soon go haywire; who's trying to destroy the dome and why? Everyone is a suspect in this mystery overflowing with twists and detective-story tropes. Black-and-white cartoons punctuate the lightheartedness.
(4)
K-3
Do You Really Want to Meet...? series.
Illustrated by
Daniele Fabbri.
Written in the second person, these armchair field trips take readers on journeys from the Arctic to the rainforest to track animals in the wild. While cautioning young explorers about various dangers, the texts provide minimal information about habitat, diet, and behaviors. The friendly cartoon illustrations soften the warnings. Appended websites provide more in-depth information. Each book includes a habitat map. Reading list. Glos. Review covers these Do You Really Want to Meet...? titles: Do You Really Want to Meet a Polar Bear?, Do You Really Want to Meet a Monkey?, Do You Really Want to Meet a Platypus?, and Do You Really Want to Meet a Tiger?.
(4)
4-6
A missing teacher, synthetic fish, and a history of organized crime culminate in a mystery for rookie Rick Zengo and his cantankerous partner on the Kalamazoo City Platypus Police Squad. With juvenile twists such as the duck-billed cops using boomerangs instead of guns, detective-story clichés and tropes abound in this lighthearted whodunit made even more kid-friendly by the black-and-white cartoons sprinkled throughout.
24 pp.
| Bearport
| January, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61772-121-2$22.61
(4)
K-3
Animals with Super Powers series.
This series focuses on creatures with unexpected "super powers." Some of the powers, such as using electricity to find prey, seem more "super" than others (e.g., having a transparent appearance). All of the traits--and how animals use them to their advantage--are explained using accessible text. Some explanations are less than thorough and might leave readers wanting more information. Vibrant photographs are included. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Animals with Super Powers titles: Glow-in-the-Dark Animals, Electric Animals, See-Through Animals, and Color-Changing Animals.
32 pp.
| ABDO
| September, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61783-013-6$28.50
(4)
K-3
Big Buddy Books: Australian Animals series.
This series provides brief introductions to animals native to Australia. The texts jump from topic to topic, but clear writing and simple vocabulary make them useful choices for independent reading. Occasional "Uncovered!" sidebars along with close-up photos and some drawings of the friendly looking title animals enhance the volumes. Glos., ind. Review covers these Big Buddy Books: Australian Animals titles: Kangaroos, Koalas, and Platypuses.
32 pp.
| Abrams
| October, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8109-8973-3$15.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Brian T. Jones.
Zoo duck Quackenstein longs for a family. He cares for an abandoned egg, and out pops what looks to him like a scary monster (actually a platypus). Quackenstein's grumpiness is a novelty in a book with a warm-and-fuzzy theme. Bardhan-Quallen's rhymes march in lockstep--think Dr. Seuss starring Oscar the Grouch--while Jones expertly juggles the book's tender, humorous, and spooky elements.
32 pp.
| Bearport
| August, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59716-735-2$25.27
(4)
K-3
Uncommon Animals series.
Readers follow the work of scientists who study the unique features and challenges of animals living in remote habitats. Though scattering focus, firsthand accounts create a narrative feel while still weaving in facts about the animals and their environments. Large photos, mostly clear captions, and short sidebars enhance the texts. End-of-book animal facts add interest. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Uncommon Animals titles: Aye-Aye, Platypus, Fossa, Tasmanian Devil, Weddell Seal, and Arctic Fox.
32 pp.
| Harcourt
| September, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-15-204753-0$$16.00
(4)
PS
With the help of his friend Echidna, Platypus prepares a birthday party for his stuffed toy platypus, Bruce. Riddell's illustrations make the most of the humorous situations (spiny Echidna is better than duck-billed Platypus at blowing up balloons, but she's not very good at playing with them) and are the highlight of the slight but cheerful story, which offers a birthday party template of sorts.
32 pp.
| Harcourt
| May, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-15-216493-6$$15.00
(4)
PS
Young Platypus, who loves collecting, brings home a curly shell to remind him of the sea. However, he can't understand why the shell keeps disappearing. The story is a bit thin, but preschoolers will enjoy solving the mystery before Platypus gets bitten on the toe by the answer (a hermit crab). Crisp watercolors set against a white background are uncluttered and sweet.
32 pp.
| Harcourt
| August, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-15-216723-4$$15.00
(3)
PS
In this slight but quirky book, Platypus starts the day optimistically thinking it is his lucky day. He keeps looking on the bright side as plan after plan is foiled. His kite string is tangled, his kite gets stuck in a tree, his watercolor painting is ruined in a rainstorm, and more. The poor guy heads back to bed to start the day again, when things begin to look up. Agile and tidy paintings illustrate this tale of perseverance rewarded.