Animals Do, Too!: How They Behave Just Like You

Written by Etta Kaner

Illustrated by Marilyn Faucher

Kids Can Press

978-1-77138-569-5

32 pp.

Ages 4-7

May 2017

Though Animals Do, Too! is non-fiction book with a mandate to teach young children about animal behaviour, the book takes a light-hearted approach which leans towards picture book rather than teaching text.  In a series of questions, young readers are asked about fun activities in which they like to engage: dancing, playing tag, playing leapfrog, blowing bubbles, growing food, getting piggyback rides, and being babysat.  For each activity, there is a detailed double-spread asking the question and demonstrating kids partaking.  Then, a double-spread illustration answers the question with an example from the animal kingdom and a single paragraph of text provides the details.  It becomes evident that, if kids like doing those things, Animals Do, Too!

From Animals Do, Too! 

by Etta Kaner 

illus. by Marilyn Faucher

The animals depicted cover the range from mammals to insects, birds and amphibians. Etta Kaner shares the honey-bee dance, gazelles chasing each other to build strength and speed, cattle egrets jumping over each other to grab insects, gray tree frogs who make bubble nests, leaf-cutter ants who grow fungi, marmosets who carry their young piggyback-style and flamingos who babysit.  And though Animals Do, Too! is a concept book and not a story book, Marilyn Faucher's artwork is elaborate and vivid, going beyond children just dancing or playing tag.  For each, her illustration tells a story about the humans, like a party in full swing, with yummy cake and cookies, or the animals in their habitats as part of social communities.  Her art is dynamic and her colours are deep, creating rich scenes, both familiar and not.

From Animals Do, Too! 

by Etta Kaner 

illus. by Marilyn Faucher

Animals Do, Too! is a great introductory animal behaviour book for very young children.  It goes beyond identifying animals and provides a taste for learning about animals without the boring details that their older children might appreciate.  The repetitive queries and responses will help in the reading of the book and make for an entertaining read, though a competent reader like mom or dad or big sister or brother will need to ensure the details are fully clarified.

From Animals Do, Too! 

by Etta Kaner 

illus. by Marilyn Faucher