Wendy Pfeffer
Wendy Pfeffer has written more than two dozen books and most of them feature science and nature. That she can make complex topics understandable comes from her experience as an elementary school teacher. Part of her current career includes visits to schools, where she talks about creative writing. This creative flair is evident in her book What's It Like to be a Fish? (1996, HarperCollins, Ages 3 to 6, $4.95). The idea came about after hearing a kindergarten boy make a statement "she is like a fish" when referring to a girl in his class. Wendy started pondering what makes something like a fish--two eyes, body shape, a mouth. Her book describes the shape of the fish's body, its hard scales and slimy coating which all make swimming through the water easier. These and other basic fish facts are lucidly explained. Pfeffer closes with information about creating your own fishbowl habitat.
According to our reviewer, Marilyn Bagel, Wendy makes it clear that nature has a natural pecking order, and nowhere is that better illustrated than in her creative treatment of the life of a log and the living things that call it their home. A Log's Life (1997, Simon & Schuster, Ages 4 to 8, $16.00) has been highly praised and was selected as an Outstanding Science Trade Book in 1998. It begins...'Deep in a forest a great oak tree stands.' And from this mighty oak a fascinating ecosystem grows. Over time the fallen log transforms into soil. But not before all sorts of critters have moved in. Then an acorn falls into the rich soil, and a seedling begins the process anew. "Your children will never look at a log in the same way again."
One of Wendy's recent series, "Creatures In White," includes titles such as Polar Bears, Mute Swans, Arctic Wolves and Snowy Owls (Silver Press, Ages 4 to 8, $14.95 and $5.95 ea.). In her comments about Polar Bears, our reviewer Wendy Mann says "Spend a lively year in the life of polar bears and learn about their living, eating and breeding habits. ...this is both a story and learning experience for young readers. Accompanied by beautiful action photos, the book brings the polar bears to life and shares their experiences in the arctic."
In addition to her many books, Wendy has published numerous articles and stories. She also teaches adult classes in writing for children and is the author of Writing Children's Books: Getting Started.
More information on Wendy Pfeffer can be found here.
Reviews
From Tadpole to Frog
Wendy Pfeffer
Illustrated by Holly Keller
Children who are just beginning to read can learn about their world with the "Lets-Read-And-Find-Out Science" series. The series is well conceived and the developmental reading and interest level are nicely matched. Many outstanding nonfiction writers and illustrators have contributed to this series. For ages three to six, there are Stage 1 books which include Pfeffer's From Tadpole to Frog. It depicts the amazing metamorphosis of a tiny tadpole to great big bullfrog. Also available in audio format. 1994, HarperCollins, Ages 3 to 6, $15.00, $14.89, $4.95, $7.95. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
ISBN: 0-06-023044-4
ISBN: 0-06-023117-3
ISBN: 0-06-445123-2
ISBN: 0-694-70046-0
A Log's Life
Wendy Pfeffer
Illustrated by Robin Brickman
Nature has a natural pecking order, and nowhere is that better illustrated than in this creative treatment of the life of a log and the living things that call it their home. It begins..."Deep in a forest a great oak tree stands." And from this mighty oak a fascinating ecosystem grows. Lifelike three-dimensional paper sculptures created from painted paper and glue take us on a splintered journey through the many years of a log's life. It starts out as a statuesque tree limb. Over time it ultimately transforms into soil. But not before all sorts of critters have moved in including squirrels, porcupines and carpenter ants, woodpeckers and woodboring beetles, toadstools and molds, slugs and snails, ants, millipedes and spiders, termites and moss. Then an acorn falls into the rich soil, and a seedling begins the process anew. Your children will never look at a log in the same way again. 1997, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Ages 4 to 8, $16.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Bagel
ISBN: 0-689-80636-1
Mute Swans
Wendy Pfeffer
Factual information is beautifully presented in this book about swans. The text is super-imposed over actual photographs that still show through the text. Correct terms such as pen (female), cob (male), and cygnet (baby) are used through out this informative book. Other swans are pictured in the back of the book in a section called Swan Facts. A world map shows where swans live. An early reader could easily glean many facts about swans from this book. 1997, Silver Press, Ages 7 to 12, $14.95 and $5.95. Reviewer: Rae Valabek
ISBN: 0-382-39325-2
ISBN: 0-382-39324-4
Polar Bears
Wendy Pfeffer
Photos by Susan Van Etten
Spend a lively year in the life of polar bears and learn about their living, eating and breeding habits. Part of Pfeffer's "Creatures in White" series, this is both a story and learning experience for young readers. Accompanied by beautiful action photos, the book brings the polar bears to life and shares their experiences in the arctic. Two special learning features are the "polar bear facts" and the map of where polar bears live. 1997, Silver Press, Ages 4 to 8, $14.95 and $5.95. Reviewer: Wendy Mann
ISBN: 0-382-39327-9
ISBN: 0-382-39326-0
Sounds All Around
Wendy Pfeffer
Illustrated by Holly Keller
Crinkle-crunch through the dry leaves, clatter some pans, splish-splash in a puddle: you're creating sounds in so many ways! The ones that come from your mouth originate in your throat, and delicious concepts about vibration and volume are explained especially for preschoolers, who delight in chattering, screaming, whispering and creating outlandish sounds of all types. The bright and charming pictures show how bats, whales and other animals communicate, how drums send messages, and how decibels can be exciting or dangerous. Enrichment ideas and do-it-yourself activities round out this very worthwhile book, a "Let's-Read-and-Find-Out-About," Stage 1. 1999, HarperCollins, Ages 3 to 6, $4.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak
ISBN: 0-06-445177-1
ISBN: 0-06-027711-4
What's It Like to be a Fish?
Wendy Pfeffer
Illustrated by Holly Keller
In this "Let's-Read-and-Find-Out" science book, children are introduced to fish. The shape of the fish's body, its hard scales and slimy coating all make swimming through the water easier. Fish "breath" water and extract oxygen, and big fish eat little fish. These and other basic fish facts are clearly explained with illustrations that contain pictures of common aquarium fish. Pfeffer closes with information about creating your own fishbowl habitat. 1996, HarperCollins, Ages 3 to 6, $4.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-06-445151-8
Added 1999
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If you're interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.