NOTHING LIKE A PUFFIN

Nothing Like A Puffin

Written by: Sue Soltis

Illustrated by: Bob Kolar

Candlewick Press, September 13, 2011

31 pages

Fiction

            I chose to read this book because it was recommended to me by the children’s librarian at the Anniston public library. I simply told the librarian I was looking for children’s books that have a good flow, humor, bright colors, and lesson worthy. Nothing Like a Puffin definitely fits that description. The author, Sue Soltis, compares and contrasts a puffin to other animals and objects such as a latter, a house, a fish, and a penguin. Throughout the story a puffin describes how he or she is like or not like the others. It  is not until the end that the puffins realizes that no matter how closely related he or she is to another that he or she is still one of a kind; “There’s nothing like a puffin.”

            The illustrator of the book, Bob Kolar, created his art digitally and used primary, bright colors to catch the reader attention. Bob Kolar definitely captured the events in the story through his illustrations as well as added humor to it. The text floats around and fills in the empty spaces, but it is in large print and easy to read.

            The book has not won any awards, but it is definitely award and classroom worthy. I personally love the book and the fun flow it has when reading aloud. The book would make a good lesson on comparing and contrasting. On a personal level, the book could teach children that it is okay to be different for no one is exactly alike.  The book’s flow also provides many opportunities for class to pause and have discussions on adjectives, verbs, and the different types of animals. I would recommend this book for children kindergarten and up.