Imara's Tiara

by Susan R. Stoltz, Melissa Bailey (Illustrator)

Overview

Imara's Tiara was written with the intent to feature a minority girl in the roll of a budding scientist/zoologist. Minority women are greatly under-represented in the field of zoology and as zookeepers in particular. Naomi is learning fast that it isn't an easy job, but one that she can accomplish if she tries hard enough.

A science-based book that introduces zoology and how to be a zoologist to children. While Naomi is learning all the facts about giraffes the one she's looking for is elusive, but her persistence pays off and she finally realizes she's got a big problem. How will she solve it so that both she and the giraffe are happy? Observation and patience are skills that are routinely overlooked in today's world of computers, on-line information, and instant gratification. How can we bring these skills back to students?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798985195347
Publisher:	Lyric & Stone Publishing
Publication date:	03/15/2022
Edition description:	2nd Revised ed.
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,134,000
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Susan Stoltz is passionate about wildlife and her excitement spills over into the books she writes for children. She's worked at a conservation zoo for nearly a decade and is a natural public speaker and performer. Susan is dynamic in classrooms and in front of large crowds. She lives in Arizona with her two Jack Russell Terriers.


Melissa Bailey always dreamed of illustrating children's books but never thought it would actually happen. Now she's an award-winning illustrator with 50 books and counting. Melissa lives with her family on a dirt road in Michigan with her two fluffy poodles.

Editorial Reviews

2022-12-21
In this illustrated children’s book, a young girl wants to study a giraffe but the animal has other ideas.

Naomi is a curious 8-year-old Black girl with a scientific mind who sets out to learn about giraffes. But what she doesn’t expect is that her chosen subject, Imara, will be just as inquisitive about her. As she takes notes in her blue zoology notebook with her fluffy pink pen, Naomi tries to make worthwhile observations even though she can’t find Imara. She doesn’t know that Imara is actually right behind her the entire time. Parallel to Naomi’s purple-tinted narration are Imara’s own orange-hued thoughts. But the giraffe doesn’t have science on her mind: She’s focused solely on the blue-and-pink heart-shaped tiara Naomi wears, a gift from her grandmother. Imara waits until the perfect moment to snatch it, only to fail and to finally meet Naomi face to face. Naomi then goes home to try to figure out what Imara wants from her. This charming, lively book models for readers the process of making scientific observations and collecting facts. It tells its story quickly and could use fleshing out. Still, the work is able to convey a substantial amount of giraffe-related trivia, both in the text and in the aftermatter depicting Naomi’s notebook. Stoltz and Bailey’s text dances around the illustrations playfully, as when they bend around Imara’s ear, and the sound effects of her chewing appear by her mouth on a page. Bailey’s pictures are simple but expressive, just like the tale itself. Their warm earth tones set readers in a friendly and natural environment, while the colors in Naomi’s outfit bring sparkle to the setting. This story may appeal to preschool fans of television shows such as The Wild Kratts and books like A Sick Day for Amos McGee (2010) by Philip Stead.

A cute zoological tale that’s perfect for preschoolers.

Kirkus Reviews