Barks, grunts, squeals—animals make all kinds of sounds to communicate. With a growling salamander and a whining porcupine, bellowing giraffes and laughing gorillas, this boisterous book is chock-full of fun and interesting facts and is sure to be a favorite of even the youngest animal enthusiasts.
Can an Aardvark Bark? Book Trailer from Winding Oak.
Listen to this All the Wonders podcast with Matthew Winner.
Take a look at Melissa’s Can an Aardvark Bark? Pinterest board for more resources and teaching ideas.
Honors and Awards
Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices List
Cybils Award Nominee
National Science Teachers Association-Children’s Book Council Outstanding Science Trade Book
Nerdy Book Club Award for Nonfiction Picture Books
Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading master list 2018-2019
Read On Wisconsin Book
Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee
Behind the Book
“During a 2010 trip to Disney World, my family and I were surprised to learn that little monkeys called cotton-top tamarins can bark.
“That night my 10-year-old nephew asked a great question: 'Do you think there are a lot of different animals that bark?' With the help of Google, we started making a list. It turns out that not only do lots of different animals bark, they do so for many different reasons.
“I kept our list, and when I got home, I began researching other animal sounds. Eventually, I had a list of more than 300 animals that bark, bellow, chirp, chatter, grunt, growl, and more. That’s when I knew I had the makings of a book.”
Reviews
“Stewart always chooses appealing facts, but what makes this collection work so well is the skillful presentation by both author and illustrator … Don't share this engaging read-aloud in a quiet library.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
an ingenious, playful twist on the predictable animal-noise theme with terrifically engaging results.”
—Shelf Awareness, starred review
“Using a question-and-answer format that employs internal rhymes, Stewart and Jenkins enlighten readers about animal utterances. … Toddlers will enjoy the large-print Q&As, while older children will appreciate the informative paragraphs presented in smaller font. And while there’s much to be gleaned about familiar and esoteric species (who knew a giraffe could bellow?), the final spread, encouraging listeners to let loose their own laughs, grunts, bellows, and growls, provides the perfect excuse for toddler participation.”
—Booklist
“A terrific title for elementary-aged kids to help them draw comparisons between animals and sounds—libraries can’t go wrong.”
School Library Journal
“… a handsome and dynamic exploration of animal behavior.”
Publishers Weekly
“Bark, grunt, squeal, roar … A chorus of animal vocalizations emanates from science writer Melissa Stewart’s latest picture book, a concept book focusing on the sounds that animals use to communicate. Employing a question and answer format, Stewart uses internal rhyme to pique the interest of young readers … An excellent resource for units of study on animals and/or communication, the title is also an excellent resource for language arts instruction, as a mentor text for nonfiction text structures and language play.”
The Classroom Bookshelf
 
“Fascinating facts, stunning illustrations, and a great pattern to the text. Loved it.”
Dylan Teut, Instructor of Literacy and Plum Creek Children's Literacy Festival Director, Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska
“Animal sounds get a smart and fun take with a dream team that explores the sounds animals make—and the reasons why.”
Teacher Magazine
Can an Aardvark Bark?
by Melissa Stewart
illus by Steve Jenkins
Beach Lane Books /
Simon & Schuster , 2017
for ages 5-9
ISBN 978-1-48145-852-8
Purchase this book at your local independent bookseller or Amazon.com.
Can an Aardvark Bark revision timeline
BOOK EXTENSIONS
CURRICULUM GUIDE
READ ALOUD GUIDE
TEXT STRUCTURE SWAP 1
TEXT STRUCTURE SWAP 2
 
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