Tag Archives: Owen Davey

Community Involvement, Environmental Activism, stem

Fanatical About Frogs

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Written & Illustrated by: Owen Davey

For ages: any age

Language: English

Topics Covered: STEM, Nature, Conservation, Natural World.

Summary: This is the latest installment of Owen Davey’s animal series, and I bet if you’ve been reading our book reviews for a bit you can guess what we think about it.  Davey has written & illustrated books in this series about beetles, sharks, monkeys, and cats!

I’ll give you a hint: it starts with L and ends with -OVE!  Davey has the incredible ability to give readers a huge amount of information but not have an overwhelming amount of text.  Inside the book, the reader learns all about amphibian attributes and adaptations like specialized skin and feet since so much time is spent in the water!

Something we really like about this particular book is that on some pages Davey has done life-size drawings of different species of frogs!  There are all types of really cool frogs inside this book, and there is a wide range of topics covered.  At the back are the few pages that make the series special too-a part about different mythology surrounding the animal as well as conservation efforts.

This book was sent by Flying Eye Books for consideration of the Best Books of 2019 event that we are participating in, and we could not be more grateful.  However, all opinions remain our own!

About the Author & Illustrator:

owen-2Owen Davey is an award-winning Illustrator, living & working in Leicester, UK. He has a First Class BA(Hons) Degree in Illustration from Falmouth University. Davey is a primary Illustrator for TwoDots which has been #1 in over 70 countries, as well as the illustrator of iPad App of the Year 2015 game, The Robot Factory.  His work has been published in every continent except Antarctica, including picture books in UK, America, Australia, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Portugal, China, Sweden, Russia & South Korea!

activism, Environmental Activism, Women in STEM

Crazy About Cats

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Written & Illustrated by: Owen Davey

For ages: 5 and up

Language: English

Topics Covered: Nature, Cats, Activism, Environment, STEM, Science, Conservation, Global Community, Community.

Summary: Starting from the basics of “What is a Cat?” to the complex social dynamics between bobcats fighting over territory, this book by Owen Davey has it all!  In his signature bright, graphic style, the reader can explore all aspects of the various feline species detailed between the covers.  Also covering camouflage, evolution, and weird facts, Crazy About Cats also has a to-scale measure of big cats to humans!

This is a book for a huge rang of ages.  Stylistic and graphic prints entice readers as they yearn to learn more about this vast range of felines we find sometimes right in our own houses!  Davey covers cat mythology, conservation efforts, and has a handy list of every cat featured in the book.

Reflection Questions:

  • What were you most surprised to learn from the book?
  • Have you ever encountered any of these cats in your everyday life?
  • If you have a pet cat, how are they like bigger cats like pumas or lions?

Continuing the Conversation:

  • See if you can find an online live animal camera of live cats to observe them in their natural habitat!  Are some of the facts you learned in the book apparent when watching the video?
  • Learn about the prehistoric animals that used to live in your area.  Were any of them giant cats?

About the Author & the Illustrator:

owenOwen Davey is an award-winning Illustrator, living & working in Leicester, UK. He has a First Class BA(Hons) Degree in Illustration from Falmouth University. Davey is a primary Illustrator for TwoDots which has been #1 in over 70 countries, as well as the illustrator of iPad App of the Year 2015 game, The Robot Factory.  His work has been published in every continent except Antarctica, including picture books in UK, America, Australia, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Portugal, China, Sweden, Russia & South Korea!

Community Involvement, Environmental Activism, stem

Smart About Sharks

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Written & Illustrated by: Owen Davey

For ages: 5 and up

Language: English

Topics Covered: Nature, Environment, Sea Life, Community, Conservation, STEM, Sharks, Activism.  

Summary: Owen Davey does it again, this time about sharks!  In his typical bright, graphic style, readers cruise through the deep and learn everything there is to know about these carnivorous creatures. Starting again with a contents page, the reader can also follow a handy flowchart related to fins, learn about the different body parts, and inspect types of teeth.  The book also discusses shark diets, and why humans are attacked (hint: their silhouettes are similar to something much more tasty!).  Having some to-scale illustrations to other sharks as well as a kayaker, the reader can better understand just how varied the sharks species are.  An award page points out different shark attributes, such as longest fin and even a shark that barks!  Wrapping up with conservation efforts and mythology, this book will delight every reader.

There is also an index, which lists different orders covered in the book, as well as the sharks listed within those categories.  Both scientific and common names are listed!  This is one of four books in Davey’s series, which also covers beetles, cats, and monkeys.  This series is definitely recommended to anyone with an affinity for science!

Reflection Questions:

  • Did you learn about any new sharks?
  • What do you think a scientist that studies sharks does everyday?
  • What did you like most about this book?

Continuing the Conversation:

  • Learn more about shark conservation efforts.  What is their biggest threat?  Even if you live in a landlocked place, what could you do in your community that would benefit not just sharks, but all ocean life?
  • If you live close to one, take a trip to the aquarium!  What do you notice about the different ocean habitats and tanks there?  Are there any sharks?  Draw a picture to recreate your favorite display!
  • Sign up for Skype A Scientist, and connect with a marine biologist!  This program is free for classrooms, and after answering some questions a classroom will be able to Skype a scientist across the globe!  Have the class make a list of questions, and learn all about the different things that these people do for work.

About the Author & the Illustrator:

owenOwen Davey is an award-winning Illustrator, living & working in Leicester, UK. He has a First Class BA(Hons) Degree in Illustration from Falmouth University. Davey is a primary Illustrator for TwoDots which has been #1 in over 70 countries, as well as the illustrator of iPad App of the Year 2015 game, The Robot Factory.  His work has been published in every continent except Antarctica, including picture books in UK, America, Australia, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Portugal, China, Sweden, Russia & South Korea!

Community Involvement, Environmental Activism, stem

Bonkers About Beetles

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Written & Illustrated by: Owen Davey

For ages: 5 and up

Language: English 

Topics Covered: Nature, Insects, Environment, Life Cycles, STEM.

Summary: Starting with a contents page, this book delves into the exciting and diverse world of beetles.  Bright, colorful illustrations in a very enticing and specific style adorn the pages as the reader learns all about the world of beetles.  Everything is labeled clearly, with pictures big enough to tell the fine details between beetles.  On some pages, specifically “A Way of Life” different terrestrial and aquatic beetles are explained, with another beetle needing to be sorted.  Another pages asks the reader to find a camouflaged beetle on a tree.  This ensures that the information is being taken in by the reader and critical thinking skills are being flexed!  One of the more interesting pages in the book is about fireflies, and their flash patterns.  This entire book is fascinating, with understandable explanations for difficult scientific concepts while at the same time introducing fantastic vocabulary for every budding scientist you know!  In the back of the book are a couple pages dedicated to beetle conservation, as well as a helpful index sorted by beetle family, with the names the beetles featured in the book.  This index has both the scientific classification and common name!

This is one of four books in Davey’s series.  Subjects also covered are cats, sharks, and monkeys.  Filled with fun facts and exciting information about every beetle a person could think of, Bonkers About Beetles is a book that no matter how many times looked through, something new can always be found!

Reflection Questions:

  • Which beetle in the book was brand new to you today?
  • What beetle were you most excited to learn more about?
  • Did anything in the book surprise you?
  • What’s your favorite part of the book?

Continuing the Conversation:

  • Design your own beetle! In Davey’s book, there are zillions of patterns, colors, and features.  Think about everything covered in the book, and design your own beetle that could survive anywhere!  Draw a picture, and then go on a “Beetle Walk” around the classroom and see everyone else’s creations.
  • Learn more about beetles in your area, and which ones are native to the environment.  What are some of their adaptations that help them survive?  Are there any beetles that are not native, but were introduced?  How are they impacting the habitats and other creatures around them?
  • Conservation efforts take a lot of hands.  What can you do in your community?  Are there specific beetles or other insects that are more endangered than others?  Find out some easy ways you and your community can help these tiny treasures!
  • Davey has a very specific illustration style.  Try and recreate it, drawing your own comic!

About the Author & Illustrator:

owenOwen Davey is an award-winning Illustrator, living & working in Leicester, UK. He has a First Class BA(Hons) Degree in Illustration from Falmouth University. Davey is a primary Illustrator for TwoDots which has been #1 in over 70 countries, as well as the illustrator of iPad App of the Year 2015 game, The Robot Factory.  His work has been published in every continent except Antarctica, including picture books in UK, America, Australia, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Portugal, China, Sweden, Russia & South Korea!