Nonfiction Monday: Build, Beaver, Build! Life at the Longest Beaver Dam by Sandra Markle, illustrated by Deborah Hocking

While my favorite beaver books remain the books of my childhood, Beaver on the Sawtooth by Berniece Freschet and The Beaver Pond by Alvin R. Tresselt, there's no reason a new generation can't have a favorite beaver book and this is a good candidate.

The story is told from the point of view of a young beaver kit. He is just three weeks old and experiences the excitement of life on the family's dam, avoiding predators, playing with his sisters, nursing and eating bark. As he grows stronger, he begins helping the family collect food for the winter and strengthen the dam, as well as warning off predators and other beavers. Through the cycle of the year and the experiences of the young beaver, readers learn about a beaver's habitat and habits.

Back matter includes additional facts about beavers and information about the dam featured in the book. There are also suggestions for other books and films to learn more about beavers.

While this is a little longer than I'd usually use in a storytime, especially with preschoolers, it can easily be adapted for a read-aloud and is perfect for a kindergarten or first grade audience. The rich backgrounds, heavy with the blues and greens of night-time, showcase the adorable furry kits and their busy parents. In short, I'd hang these pictures on my wall.

Verdict: A lovely and informative book, perfect for updating your books on beavers. Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9781467749008; Published 2016 by Millbrook; Borrowed from another library in my consortium