Well, we’re getting back to our regular routine around here. We might go back to West this week sometime, but for now we’re home. Home is good. It’s nice to have a home. I’m still worried about all those dogs and cats that don’t have homes anymore. It seems that bit by bit they’re finding their people though. That’s a good thing. There are a lot of people doing some very good things for those folks in West.
Here in Glen Rose, we’re back to books! And our own school! And our own library! And on the menu for today — Mammoths!!!! On library night the boys picked out a real whopper! Mammoths on the Move by Lisa Wheeler and illustrated by Kurt Cyrus. It was published by Harcourt, Inc. in 2006.
We live in the Land of the Dinosaurs. But I don’t know anything about Mammoths. Just that they’re kind of like hairy Elephants. But this book is awesome! It’s written in rhyme with a lot of repetition and alliteration. (I know about some of those big words! I listen in school!) It starts out with:
Fourteen thousand years ago
the north was mostly ice and snow.
But woolly mammoths didn’t care —
these beasts had comfy coats of hair.
Fuzzy, shaggy, snarly, snaggy,
wonderful, woolly mammoths!
The boys that picked this book out didn’t think that they could read it. But with all the repetition, before they knew it, they were reading like crazy! The story is about the mammoths migrating south for the winter. They encounter lots of hardships along the way. But by winter’s end they reach the south and the promised land! A lake to swim and splash in and trees and grass. And then they have to turn around and head north again!! The boys thought this was the funniest part! It was their favorite part of the book!
The pictures in this book are fabulous. This is a picture of the babies playing in the water. A note in the book says that the illustrations are done in scratchboard and watercolor. I don’t know anything about scratchboard, but it sure makes for great effects! I think I want to find some more of Mr Cyrus’ work.
In the very front of the book, Ms Wheeler has included some factual stuff about mammoths and what science research actually knows about them. Not a whole lot evidently. But this book is informative and fun to read. Me and the boys highly recommend it!
Here’s an interesting video of mammoths. I don’t know how they did this. I didn’t know they had cameras back then. But it’s pretty cool.
Reading With Rhythm 
I love Lisa Wheeler’s writing but I’m not much into dinosaurs. This mammoth one sounds great!
Dinosaurs are not usually my first choice for a read, but this one is not so dinosaury — more elephanty. I liked it a lot.
Mom loves elephants ever since she was a little human. We know that elephants came from a different line then the wooly giants, their ancesters looked like wild pigs, but now they look similar. This was fun. Thank
I don’t know much about elephants or mammoths. At least I didn’t before this book. Now I know a little. They’re pretty fascinating! Your Mom would like this book, I think.
A rhyming book about mammoths sounds like fun. I think scratchboard is another name for the hardwood floors at my house….
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Haha! You must have some nice artwork on your floors then!
Sounds like an interesting book – maybe even for adults?!
Have a wonderful Sunday,
Pit
Yes! I think even for adults. The Mom Person loved it. But she tends to really like picture books anyway. Hope you had a good weekend. Have y’all gotten any rain out your way? It’s still dry here. I’m worried about my river.
Hi Rhythm,
As you’ve seen by now on my blog, we got 2 inches. You’re talking of “your river”: which river is that? From what I’ve seen on the map, you’re not too far from the Brazos. Is it that you’re talking of? Whatever: I wish you as much rain as you need, and soon at that.
Take care, and have a good one,
Pit
We’re on the Paluxy River. The Paluxy and the Brazos come together in Glen Rose. The Paluxy is usually not very big except after a big storm. Then it can become very angry and scary.
Hi Rhythm,
Thanks for the info. I need to get a better map of Texas to find the Paluxy River. Our present one doesn’t show it. Btw, please be careful around that river!
Best regards from southern Texas,
Pit, the felines and the canines [well, Sally is snoring ;)]
You’ll probably have to get a map and a zoom feature or a magnifying glass. I’m giving you a link to a site that will tell you all about it — http://www.southwestpaddler.com/docs/brazos19.html
And not to worry about me and the raging river. We’re not allowed anywhere near it when it’s angry.
HI Rhythm,
Thanks for the link.
Have a wonderful day,
Pit
The book looks beautiful. I loved the rhyme you shared as I could see it drawing kids into the story about Mammoths migrating. Great author and illustrator.
Glad you’re home. And, I’m happy some of the families are being reunited with their pets.
This really is a well done book. The boys who picked it out really liked it a lot. And i did too! You could really feel those big mammoths rumbling along.
It was fun to go to West but I’m glad to be back to our regular routine. We watch a website that shares stuff about the lost and found pets and it’s good to see all the ones who are being reunited. I worry about those lost ones.
You have such a big heart!
Sometimes I feel like it will just burst out of me! Life is good!
I love the rhyme (and Rhythm 😉 )! This is a great book! I want to read it! 😀
It is a great book! I think you would like it Erik. Do you know anything about mammoths? Did you watch the video? I think you would like it too.
Yes Rhythm, home is good, home is the best. 🙂
Sounds like a good read, indeed!
Have a great new week.
Love
Dina
Ahh! Home. Adventures are good, but there’s no place like home. And I guess that’s true for mammoths as well! Thanks for the well wishes. The same to you!
I do hope all those dogs and cats find homes, Rhythm. I think I’d rather have a dog than a mammoth as a pet, but the book sounds very cool!
Thanks for your concerns Ms Marple. I hope so too! Yes, I don’t know what kind of pet a mammoth would be. That might make for a pretty good story though!