Build, Beaver, Build caught my eye because I must admit that I do not know much about beavers. Markle’s newest book gives a simple story line about a growing beaver kit for the youngest readers, and it also contains an abundance of important facts for the older reader.The story line in Build, Beaver, Build begins with a hungry three-week-old beaver kit, who is mewing for his mother. Markle writes in the present tense, immediately drawing the reader in to the action on this pond. Through the book, the beaver kit grows, and the reader sees the seasons changing along with the growing beaver. The dam (which in the author’s note is specified as one that is nearly 3,000 feet long in Alberta, Canada) also grows as the kit helps add on to it.
The illustrations are nicely detailed. I especially loved the cross section of the lodge and pond during the winter months. How cozy it looked! The illustrations are so welcoming and the beaver kit is adorable as he grows.
For the older reader, the author provides a nice “For More Information” section at the end of the text. That said, there is so much detail in the midst of the other pages that I felt incredibly well informed. I in fact loved that I could learn so much for a text that was so familiar and friendly to read. It really felt like a story. Given how much my little preschooler loves babies, I think she’ll love that this one starts with a baby beaver.
Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher for review consideration.
