A Nice Walk in the Jungle

Nan Bodsworth (author/illustrator)

Penguin, 1989; 32pp

ISBN: 0140541276 

Genres: adventure, fantasy, picture book

Note: advanced vocabulary

A wonderful read-aloud for almost any youngster.

The incredibly detailed, brightly coloured, double-page illustrations are a great attraction and many minutes can be spent spotting and discussing the various life forms visible. There is sufficient rhythm and repetition in the text to appeal to the very young reader/listener, complemented by interesting word usage (piranhas, herbivores, carnivores, boa constrictor…). The book also introduces some basic environmental themes of survival, predation, life cycles.

Be warned – children will not be satisfied with just one reading! However, A Nice Walk in the Jungle is appealing enough to make multiple readings enjoyable for both adult and child. The humorous conclusion is particularly satisfying.