Can You Spot the Leopard?: An African Safari

by Karen B. Winnick

Overview

An African Wildlife Adventure in Poems and Paintings

Can You Spot the Leopard? is author/artist Karen B. Winnick’s newest picture book, an adventuresome African safari presented through poems and full-color paintings. Readers begin at sunrise, climbing into a jeep for a bumpy ride to view the wondrous animals as they would on a real safari. All the poems are based on real observations of what animals do in the wild, related in an accessible way. There’s even a sighting, finally, of the elusive leopard, before returning to safari camp under a starry night. At the back of the book, further information is related about each animal.  A fun, informational, educational adventure to read and reread.

​Ms. Winnick is an animal enthusiast, president of the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, and author of more than a dozen picture books, including Gemina: The Crooked-Neck Giraffe, How Lucky Got His Shoe, and Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781626349759
Publisher:	Greenleaf Book Group Press
Publication date:	10/25/2022
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	7 - 9 Years

About the Author

KAREN B. WINNICK is the author of more than a dozen picture books for children, most of which she illustrated. An animal lover, she serves on several boards devoted to the well-being of animals. She’s a graduate of Syracuse University, mother of three grown sons, grandmother of eight, and minder of five pups. 

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Every single painting in this book strikes me as a work of art that might be printed on fine paper and sold in gift shops while you’re on safari. They are all special and feel like keepsakes to me - a collection of memories. In fact, it’d be a big mistake if they aren’t selling this picture book at Kruger National Park right now."
— Dad Suggests
 
"This book would make a wonderful present for a child who is fascinated by animals. The images and careful word choice create an enjoyable exploration of faraway fauna. It would also be a good mentor text to use in the classroom when studying poetry or looking at ways to present information other than a straight recitation of facts."
— The Fairview Review
 
"This is the perfect addition to any classroom library, and it’s a must-read during content themes of animals and biomes."
— Tynea Lewis - Writer
 
"...Right from the start, you are captivated by the artwork...just look at that cover! "
— Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
 
"An absolute work of art! ... I absolutely love this book and will be reading it again and again to my son!"
— The Momma Spot
 
"This engaging and educational book is sure to charm young explorers and help nurture their love for nature."
— icefairy's Treasure Chest
 
"A beautiful adventure for the child with an active imagination. Winnick deftly authors the entire book in crisp rhymes that invite reading the tale over and over. ... I look forward to reading more books by this talented author and illustrator."
— Barbara Ann Mojica
 
“This book is absolutely beautiful!”
— Crafty Moms Share
 
"This is a great non-fiction book to add to your library."
— Life is what it's Called
 
"This exploration of a day on the safari is sure to delight animal and language lovers alike. Winnick’s lifelike yet expressive watercolor illustrations...and keen eye for capturing the personality of each animal [with] both words and images create[s] an immersive reading experience." 
—BookLife Reviews

Editorial Reviews

01/09/2023

Readers are taken on a safari ride for an entire day in this animal-filled adventure. Winnick’s lifelike yet expressive watercolor illustrations allow personality and depth for each of the well and lesser-known animals featured in this comprehensive introduction to the animals one might encounter on an African safari. Told in playful, if inconsistent, rhymes, the text brims with large vocabulary words (“euphoric,” “chieftain”), animal names (Dik-Diks, Vervets), and evocative and atmospheric descriptions (“His black wings drape, a thick night cape”) sure to win over—and inform—any animal lover or intrepid explorer.

With a keen eye for capturing the personality of each animal, including the meerkats “soaking up sunshine” and the hippos in ooze, Winnick utilizes both words and images to create an immersive reading experience. Spending the day with these majestic creatures they may not have the opportunity to meet in their habitats allows readers to familiarize themselves with the habits and life conditions of elephants and their family units, a giraffe who must balance food gathering with protecting her calf, and the “mixed-up puzzle” of a wildebeest: “a bit of moose around the muzzle / Horse legs long and thing / but body and skin like a buffalo.” Winnick checks back in with some animals, creating a sense of a day passing.

For particularly language-attuned readers, the inconsistent and sometimes forced rhyming might be distracting, but otherwise shouldn’t be too much of a concern, especially if an adult is reading aloud. Clear context clues assist in aiding understanding of words that might be difficult or new to readers, and if further information is needed, a two page spread with a description of each animal can be found at the end. Serving as both a jumping-on point for animal curious folks or as a lively and descriptive exploration of the safari, Can You Spot the Leopard? offers something for everyone.

Takeaway: This exploration of a day on the safari is sure to delight animal and language lovers alike.

Great for fans of: Marquez Ramirez’s Goodnight Africa; Terri Tatchell’s Aye-Aye Gets Lucky.

Production grades Cover: B Design and typography: A Illustrations: A Editing: A- Marketing copy: A

BookLife Reviews