Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature
Author: Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Beth Krommes
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011
Age Range: Grades K-2
Lexile: 330L
ISBN: 9780547315836
Awards and Recognition
Junior Library Guild Selection
Young Hoosier Award Nominee 2013-2014
ALA Notable Children's Book, 2012
Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature is a beautiful display of the the many qualities and functions of spirals. Joyce Sidman describes in poetic sentences the way that spirals protect and give strength to plants and animals. She also explains the way that they can be observed in weather patterns- visible in the air and water. Her examples are beautifully depicted in Beth Krommes' artwork.
I was surprised by the extent of the examples of swirls in this book. Sidman reveals that swirls can be found all throughout nature. After reading this book, children will likely want to look for swirls in their own classroom, house, or backyard. A parent or teacher could encourage them to keep a scientific notebook to record "swirl sightings." The child could practice making detailed drawings and labeling them. This could lead to other nature observations that could be recorded in their notebook.
The unique pictures in the book are scratchboard illustrations. You can read an explanation of this style of art at illustrator Beth Krommes' website. She won the Caldecott Medal in 2009 for a book that she also illustrated in the scratchboard style- The House in the Night.
A video preview of Swirl by Swirl is available on Youtube, posted by the book's publisher. You can also view the book's Amazon Preview.
If you enjoy Swirl by Swirl, check out this other collaboration between Joyce Sidman and Beth Krommes- Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2006).
If you enjoy Swirl by Swirl, check out this other collaboration between Joyce Sidman and Beth Krommes- Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2006).
I love this book ( and OMG, did not know that Kromme also illustrated House in the Night, a book I used a lot for bedtime/night story times). I used Swirl back in January for a school visit and the kids loved it.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks beautiful, I can't wait to check it out! The scratchboard illustrations made me think of that black paper that comes with a little wooden stick that you use to scratch off the black to reveal colors underneath...not sure if that made complete sense but I remember using it as a kid. How fun would it be to let kids scratch some of their own swirls with that after reading this book!?
ReplyDeleteYes it does!! Love scratchboard.
DeleteI really liked your idea about having the kids keep a scientific journal of the swirls that they find. This will help the reading experience have a lot more meaning. What a great way for a nonfiction book to introduce a science lesson, writing lesson, or even an art lesson. This book could be taken in a lot of various directions.
ReplyDeleteJennifer