School Library Connection
This book will appeal to younger students and teachers. Baby Bear is always sneezing, but he doesn't understand the cause of his discomfort. Mama Bear and other animals give Baby Bear important information about the pollination process and how the pollen causes an allergic reaction. Baby Bear learns that pollen is vital for food and growth for various plants and animals. Each pollen carrier gives Baby Bear an excellent description of their role in the pollination process. Also included is an activity section. These activities may be reproduced for classroom use. Bersani does a commendable job presenting factual information. Her realistic illustrations are appealing. Teachers will appreciate the many science curriculum connections. School librarians and science teachers needing information about pollinators and the pollination process will want to add this to their collections.
- Ruie Chehak
-----------------------------------
Agy Wilson reviews Achoo! Why Pollen Counts on JD Holiday's BTR: It's Story Time
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldofinknetwork/2015/05/12/its-story-time-jd-holiday-on-world-of-ink-network-512
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
All of the creatures are clear and beautifully realized. This isn't only a book for explaining …,
May 12, 2015 By Agy Wilson
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Paperback)
Baby Bear awakes to a warm gold-covered spring day and the sniffles. He's allergic to pollen and hates it! But as the vole, mama bear, zebra butterfly, spiderling and other forest creatures explain how pollen works and why it's important, Baby's irritation turns to understanding.
Bersani explains a complex subject straightforwardly and accompanies it with magical illustrations. All of the creatures are clear and beautifully realized.
This isn't only a book for explaining the way flowers and animals work together to sustain each other. There's also a wonderful section with activities for children guided by adults on flower parts, what allergies are, the pollination process, and the importance of bees as pollinators, and what kids can do to help them along. The author/illustrator has paintstakingly vetted the book with expert input, and combined it kid-friendly devices like alliteration and onomatopoeia. A wonderful resource that beautifully encourages children to care for the world around them, and casts participating adults in the expert role with the help and resources of this well sourced book.
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
Why This Book Counts!,
May 15, 2015 By B. Lanza "BarbaraL"
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Paperback)
What a wonderful book for children who learn along with Baby Bear the effects and uses of pollen. Follow Baby Bear as he reacts to his pollen allergy and finds that pollen has beneficial aspects as well. Shennen Bersani has written a charming story and has depicted all the woodland creatures beautifully, too. Watch Momma Bear cuddle and lick pollen off Baby Bear while explaining how pollen helps them and other creatures. Even in winter, when it is captured in ice crystals, it is eaten and nourishes some animals, including Baby Bear. Gorgeously illustrated, this book educates as well. Children will learn about allergies, the pollination process as well as the plants which produce pollen and the bees who act as pollinators.
-----------------------------------
May 16, 2015
connywithay.wordpress.com
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts
Title: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts
Author/Illustrator: Shennen Bersani
Publisher: Arbordale Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-62855-5592
“It’s messy. It’s itchy. It makes me – ah, ah, a-choo – sneeze! I wish there was no such thing as pollen,” Baby Bear declares in Shennen Bersani’s children’s book, Achoo! Why Pollen Counts.
At thirty-two unnumbered pages, this over-sized paperback with thick folding jacket covers targets children ages four to eight years old who enjoy educational stories about nature. With no scary scenes or profanity, it may be best read out loud by adults to beginner readers due to some complicated wording.
In this charming and enlightening story, Baby Bear comes out of his den after hibernating all winter and gets covered with pollen. Rolling around in the spring grass, he gets watery eyes, a runny nose, and itchy fur. Realizing he is allergic to pollen, the bear wishes there was no such thing as it.
Momma Bear explains that the forest needs the special dust as some animals eat it while others help pollinate plants with it. A springtime spider, a butterfly and bee during the summer, a fall harvest ladybug, and a winter owl inform the bear that pollen is needed during each season of the year. Although still allergic, Baby Bear changes his mind when he understands he eats pollen too; he comprehends how important it is to the world.
The last four pages have more educational tools of learning activities for creative minds that involves understanding allergies, flower parts with pictures, the pollination process, a matching puzzle of animals and insects to particular flowers, and information on bees being excellent pollinators. Numbered suggestions are offered on how to help honeybees survive.
What makes this book fun is not only the beautiful, detailed illustrations and a cute storyline that teaches about allergies, but also the informational data at the back of the book for older readers. Any child will love viewing the animals and insects to the floating pollen as they learn how vital this fine powder is to our planet throughout the four seasons.
Award-winning children’s book illustrator, author Bersani obviously loves nature and life lessons for children of all ages. Having illustrated many books with her detailed, realistic designs, the Massachusetts artist has produced her first written picture book.
Thanks to Arbordale Publishing and Bookpleasures for furnishing this complimentary book in exchange for a review of the reader’s honest opinion.
This review will be posted on Bookpleasures and Amazon with links on Bookfun.org, Godinterest, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
"Achoo" has it all, great illustrations, fun and lessons about pollen!,
May 17, 2015 By Donna
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Hardcover)
"Achoo! Why Pollen Counts..." is truly a treasure! It provides a great learning experience about the affects of pollen for both kids and adults. Baby bear's beautifully illustrated poses show how the pollen makes him feel: itchy, watery eyes, sticky and sneezy. Even though the pollen makes him very uncomfortable, he learns about all the good reasons why we have pollen.
Looking more closely at the illustrations, you'll find that the book is scattered with nature details; hummingbirds, bees, ants, moths, an owl, mushrooms, pine cones, clover, caterpillars and many more - these would provide a fun to search and find game with younger children. The back of the book provides much more facts and information about allergies, flower parts, the pollination process and bees, the great pollinators.
It's obvious with the quality of her art, the story and all the extra information listed in the back that Shennen Bersani put her heart and soul into making her first authored book a quality product. I haven't seen anything like in the market. "Achoo" will be fun to read as well as a way to relate baby bear's story to what is happening in your own outdoor surroundings.
-----------------------------------
Traci Bold's review May 18, 2015
5 of 5 stars
Read in May, 2015
Shennen Bersani gets to the heart of allergy season and the people and animals who suffer from it.
Pollen sufferers want the pollen gone but if that happens, then our entire ecosystem collapses, several species at a time. Pollen is IMPORTANT for so many reasons all of which Baby Bear finds out in this fun and educational picture book, 'Achoo! Why Pollen Counts'.
Colorful, realistic illustrations bring the book alive as numerous forest animals, Ladybug, Spiderling, Honeybee and Snow Owl give Baby Bear short lessons in why pollen is important.
Shennen incorporates facts educating children on the parts of flowers, what an allergy is and the pollination process throughout the story and in more detail at the end of the book. For parents and teachers and librarians, she offers activities and creative ventures for use of the book as well.
Honeybee populations are declining which becomes catastrophic if continues. The plight of the honey bee and bees in general rely on us humans to keep them going. Educate yourself and children, read this book and share it with others. We can help the honeybees.
-----------------------------------
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 Terra Heck - Heck of a Bunch Blog
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts - Children's Book Review and Giveaway
I received book for review from Arbordale Publishing. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.
Spring has arrived and pollen is in the air. Baby Bear does not like the pollen—it sticks to his fur and makes him itchy and sneezy. He’s allergic! Achoo! He just wishes the pollen were gone. But when his friends gather to tell him why they need pollen, Baby Bear learns that pollen is good for the forest and provides food for many animals, including him!
My Review:
If you have an allergy to pollen, it can make you miserable and I'm sure sufferers wish it didn't exist. Achoo! Why Pollen Counts is a children's book that details why pollen is so important (even to those who have to battle with its side effects). The book tells of Baby Bear, who is allergic to pollen. Baby Bear comes across other animals and insects who explain why pollen is important to them. For instance, he learns that some spiders catch pollen in their web and eat it. The animal illustrations are adorable, and the story is interestingly told.
The "For Creative Minds" section in the back of the book contains activities on understanding allergies, flower parts, the pollination process, pollinator matching, and bees: the great pollinators.
-----------------------------------
From Toni, on FictionDB May 23, 2015
Baby Bear wakes up from his Winter nap and finds himself suffering from pollen allergy. The pine forest has clouds of pollen blown about in the warm Spring wind. The forest floor is coated with pine needles and a blanket of pollen. Baby Bear gets pollen on his face and fur, which has him sneezing and suffering from itchy watery eyes. When his forest friends explain that his symptoms are caused by pollen allergens, he says, "I don't like pollen". His friends and his Mother do a great job of explaining why pollen is so important to everyone, and they do it in such a kind and friendly way. Baby Bear realizes that he does like pollen after all. This book is quite different than most children's picture books. It's words take a topic of suffering and messy pollen and create a mood of smooth, warm, and friendly fun. It makes you want to be there, in this world of freshness, calm, and friendliness. The illustrations are also so unique, using a beautiful bedtime story style and look while appearing as a new type of classic art style of forest creatures. Baby Bear rolling around in a bed of clover is priceless. It's use of clouds of pollen and cute soft characters provide a smooth mesmerizing effect that other books cannot capture. This book will be a favorite daily reader and bedtime story for toddlers, pre-school, and K-3 grades. I must rate it five stars.
-----------------------------------
From Penelope Ann Cole, on Penny's Book Reviews May 26, 2015
Achoo!
Why Pollen Counts
Written and illustrated
by Shennen Bersani
“Achoo! Why Pollen Counts,” by Shennen Bersani, is a sweet, educational book about a subject that most of us face, seasonal pollen allergies. Baby Bear steps out of his den into a golden, pollen dust-covered spring world. He sneezes and finds that Valerie Vole is also allergic to pollen.
Baby Bear’s mother cleans him off, and tells him more about pollen and pollinators. Sandy Spiderling, Zoe Zebra Butterfly, honey bees, hummingbirds, Lili Ladybird—all play their part in the cycle of pollination—even Sammy Snowy Owl. Some animals spread pollen, while some eat it. Ms. Bersani’s lovely illustrations are expressive, detailed, and support the story perfectly.
In the back of the book are additional pollen and allergy facts, some matching exercises to test your pollination knowledge, and educational information about bees: the great pollinators. This beautifully illustrated, educational book is highly recommended for school and home libraries, and for children ages six through eight.
“Achoo! Why Pollen Counts,” is published by Arbordale Publications; also available in Spanish.
Information on Author/Illustrator Shennen Bersani is at http://www.shennen.typepad.com/
Tags:
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts, Shennen Bersani, pollinators, pollen, bees, allergies, insects, flowers.
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
Best Children's Pollen Book and Bedtime Book Combined
May 28, 2015 By Mary Paolino
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Hardcover)
Baby Bear wakes to the beauty of Spring covered with pollen and dealing with the sneezing and watery itchy eyes of pollen allergy. This makes him agitated and wanting little to do with pollen. His forest friends and Mother explain to him in a caring and loving way how pollen is necessary and critically important for food and pollinating. The friends and the conversational exchanges with them are very well done and lovable. Baby Bear ends up changing his attitude about pollen and realizes it is critical to the lives of many. The writing flows well and describes the details of pollen and pollination in a way that young children ages 3-8 can relate to and love reading. It makes you enjoy being inside every page. The words are composed well and feel well integrated with the illustrations. These attributes are all important, but the real exceptional attribute of the book is all the beauty and emotion. Baby Bear is caught in moods and positions that display so much emotion and cuteness. The pollen in the air and on the ground do a wonderful job of creating a mood and feeling of being in a Spring forest. It captivates the reader and makes them feel like they're covered in pollen. The illustrations are exceptional. Baby Bear rolling around, rubbing his face against a tree, and Baby Bear's Mother licking off his pollen and hugging are pages that draw children to them over and over. Add the fact that there is a huge section at the back of the book that provides added facts and help for children, parents, or teachers who use the book to learn or teach about the forest, pollen, pollinators, allergies, pollen allergies, bears, and more.
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
This is a fun, fascinating book that will teach young children about pollen and why we need it …,
May 29, 2015 By D. Fowler
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Paperback)
Baby Bear's eyes looked swollen and itchy and he came out of his den. Rub, rub, rub! Even his little nose ran and his eyes watered from all the pollen in the air. "Achoo! Achoo!" The pollen was everywhere and "a coat of yellow dust covered the forest outside his home." Baby Bear rolled in the clover with his toes up in the air, but that yucky yellow pollen stuck to his coat. Even Valerie Vole began to sneeze when she came out of her burrow. "Achoo! Achoo!," what to do?
Rubbing up against tree bark was a great way to get rid of some of that yucky pollen. "It's messy. It's itchy, " Baby Bear exclaimed. "It makers me--ah, ah, a-choo--sneeze!" He wasn't crazy about pollen at all, but his mother cuddled him and began to tell him just how useful it was. Many of the forest plants and animals needed It to survive. Some would eat it while insects like bees pollinated plants as they moved from plant to plant. Bzzzzzz! Not all of the pollen out there would make Baby Bear sneeze and feel yucky.
Momma Bear told him about how Sandy Spiderling caught pollen in his web to eat it and how Zoe Zebra Butterfly used her long proboscis to get herself a "tasty meal." Baby Bear was very interested in those honeybees and Honey Bee told him all about pollen collection, beebread, and nectar. "Achoo! Achoo!" There were certainly a lot of things to learn about pollen and why the creatures of the fields and forest need it. Did you know that even wolves can use pollen? If not, you'll learn all about it in this book!
This is a fun, fascinating book that will teach young children about pollen and why we need it. Of course many children who are allergic to some forms of pollen might not find it useful, but will adore Baby Bear. He sneezes here and there throughout this highly informative book, one that makes it easy for children to understand the pollination process. The artwork is fun, vibrant and the picture book format makes it easy for even the most reluctant reader to learn some very interesting facts. In addition to the four pages of activities, there are free complementary activities on the publisher's website. This is an excellent read and discuss book for students in the homeschool or classroom setting.
Accelerated Reader: 3.3
Flesch-Kincaid: 3.2
Lexile: 670L
Fountas and Pinnell: N
This book courtesy of the publisher.
-----------------------------------
Outnumbered 3 to 1
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts by Shennen Bersani is the tale of Baby Bear and his discovery that pollen sticks to all his fur and it makes him sneeze! He wishes for the pollen to be gone but he starts talking to his animal friends and learns why pollen is so important to us all…even him. The illustrations are adorable while still teaching kids about pollen in a fun and interesting way.
-----------------------------------
Chat With Vera
Wednesday, June 24, 2015 Achoo! Why Pollen Counts by Author/Illustrator Shennen Bersani
Hardcover: 9781628555509, $17.95
Paperback: 9781628555592, $9.95
About the book: Spring has arrived and pollen is in the air. Baby Bear does not like the pollen—it sticks to his fur and makes him itchy and sneezy. He’s allergic! Achoo! He just wishes the pollen were gone. But when his friends gather to tell him why they need pollen, Baby Bear learns that pollen is good for the forest and provides food for many animals, including him!
My thoughts: Allergies are so unpleasant and affect so many folks. Allergies to pollens are dreaded but few folks who are contending with this problem stop and think how thankful they should be for the pollens. In Achoo! Why Pollen Counts the young reader learns about allergies and also about the importance of pollen.
Personally, I'm one of those affected by pollens and I, like "Baby Bear," contend with the days of itching and sneezing during the pollen season. However, Baby Bear meets a variety of critters including spiders, butterflies, and small animals who each explain how pollen helps them.
The story is sweet and the illustrations absolutely wonderful. The lessons on the value of pollen and how it is spread and its purpose and action in the cycle of life are really good. I love, too, the "For Creative Minds" pages at the end of the book. These enable the parent or teacher to further expand the learning opportunity with more information and activities.
I have just one little question. Do animals in the wild experience allergic reactions to pollen? While it makes for a cute story and Baby Bear is charming, in a book that deals with educational insights, it is important not to introduce inaccurate information in the story line even for the sake of a sweet tale.
Love the book. Love the information. Absolutely love the illustrations!
Author/Illustrator Info: While is an award-winning children’s book illustrator, Achoo! Why Pollen Counts is her debut picture book as an author. Her art delivers a unique blend of realism, heartfelt emotion, love of nature, and life lessons for children of all ages. She has illustrated Salamander Season; Sea Slime: It’s Eeuwy, Gooey and Under the Sea; The Shape Family Babies; Animal Partners; Shark Baby; Home in the Cave; The Glaciers are Melting!; and Astro: The Steller Sea Lion for Arbordale. Shennen has also illustrated a number of best-selling books, including, Snakes: Long, Longer, Longest; Sharks: Big, Bigger, Biggest; Ocean Counting: Odd Numbers; and Icky Bug Shapes. Shennen lives near Boston. For more information, visit her website at www.shennenbersani.com.
I was provided a complimentary copy by Arbordale Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are solely my own. I received no compensation for the review.
-----------------------------------
Bookloons.com Achoo! Why Pollen Counts, by Shennen Bersani
Reviewed by Lyn Seippel
Spring is here. It's allergy time. Baby Bear has itchy, watery eyes, and a runny nose. He sniffles and sneezes and scratches. His fur is covered in yellow pollen. Baby Bear is allergic to pollen. He wishes the pollen would all disappear.
Mother Bear explains that the world needs pollen for the plants and animals. Some animals eat pollen and others move it around to help pollinate plants. Many insects eat pollen. Spiders eat pollen caught in their webs. Honey bees, butterflies, bats and hummingbirds carry pollen from flower to flower, pollinating the plants that grow fruits and berries.
Mother Bear's lesson for Baby Bear explains why we need pollen and can't do without it. Nobody likes allergies, but it might make the suffering more bearable knowing that the world needs pollen.
Writer and illustrator, Shennen Bersani has done a great job of explaining why even pollen has its place in the world. In addition to Bear's story, check the final pages of the book for a glossary and an education section called For Creative Minds. Helpful teaching activities about pollen and allergies are also available online.
-----------------------------------
Mymcbooks's Blog reviewed by Ella Johnson
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts by Shennen Bersani
About the Book: Spring has arrived and pollen is in the air. Baby Bear does not like the pollen—it sticks to his fur and makes him itchy and sneezy. He’s allergic! Achoo! He just wishes the pollen were gone. But when his friends gather to tell him why they need pollen, Baby Bear learns that pollen is good for the forest and provides food for many animals, including him!
My Review: It was interesting to know that pollen is good for the forest and also provides food for many animals. Some types of pollen are light and float in the air, while some are heavier and cling to flowers. Many insects ear pollen, the spiders catch pollen in their web and eat it for dinner. The bees use pollen and nectar to make beebread. Ladybug snack on pollen in the fall, they find that it has plenty of protein to help them hibernate in the winter.
Also, it’s interesting to know that pollen floats high in the cloud. It clings to water, freezes, and form ice crystal. They grow, fall and form snowflakes. Pollen makes some humans and animals sneeze but it also provides food for many animals.
The last 4 pages include learning activities from understanding allergies, flower parts, pollination process, bees are the great pollinators pollinator matching – animals spreading pollen from flower to flower. Great illustrations which helps tell the story.
FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from Arbordale Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.
-----------------------------------
KID'S BOOK BUZZ
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts
Posted in August 2015, Book Reviews, Children's by Heidi - August 07, 2015
By Shennen Bersani
Arbordale Publishing, $9.95, 32 pages, Format: Trade
There’s a little bear who wakes up from his sleeping in the winter and he starts to run an errand in the fresh air, but he starts sneezing from pollen! He says that he hates pollen, but then he talks to all these animals that need to eat pollen. Bees and lots of insects eat pollen, and spiders eat it too!
Pollen also pollinates the flowers so fruits can grow.The owl tells him that pollen clings to rain droplets that freeze in the clouds and then falls as snow, and lots of animals eat the snow, including Baby Bear! So then Baby Bear is happier about pollen, because he knows that it is important.
I like the story and the pictures in this book. It is something that I think my younger sister would like; I really think it would be a good book for children that are younger than me to learn about pollen.
At the back of the book there is more information about pollen and pollination and even about allergies, which make Baby Bear sneeze. But my favorite part of the book is the pictures of Baby Bear, because he is really really cute!
Reviewed by Raif, Age 6
Buy it on Amazon
-----------------------------------
Givingnsharing.blogspot.com
How many of you have allergies or have kids with allergies? This is a fun book filled with cute animals that live off pollen and a couple of them get the sneezes from it! Read on:
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts
By Shennen Bersani
ISBN: 9781628555509
$11.05 (hardcover)
$ 9.95 (paperback)
$ 9.95 (kindle)
Spanish paperback & Creative Minds activities available on the website HERE
About the book:
Spring has arrived and pollen is in the air. Baby Bear does not like the pollen – it sticks to his fur and makes him itchy and sneezy. He's allergic! Achoo! He just wishes the pollen were gone. When his friends gather to tell him why they need pollen, Baby Bear learns that pollen is good for the forest and provides food for many animals, including him! Pollen might be something we all love to hate, but can we really live without it? This story explains why we need it.
My thoughts:
In Achoo! Your children learn about various animals and insects that eat/drink pollen throughout the four seasons. Your kids will meet Valerie Vole, Sandy Spiderling, Zoe Zebra Butterfly, Honey Bee, Lili Ladybug & Sammy Snow Owl. My kids pour over these books looking at the pictures and making up stories about the scenes that they are looking at & asking questions about the information they are looking at.
The pictures in this story really make the story - they are eye catching, draw kids (and adults into the story) and I found my kids studying the pictures to get clues about the story. The basic idea for the story is a little bear who is allergic to Pollen. I have a 4 1/2 year old who has severe allergies and so she connected right to the story. Connor (7 1/2) loved looking at the various animals and insects in the story and all of us learned something new about the role of pollen in the wild. I knew about bees & hummingbirds of course but never realized that pollen is used year round and that spiders drink it & I didn't realize that bees make a honeybread to feed their young. View the ebook
Details: Age 4-8, 32 pages, available in English/Spanish & ebook/auto-flip pages w/ audio formats. Reading Level Aligned: Accelerated reader: 3.3, Flesch-Kincaid: 3.2, Lexile: 670L, Fountas & Pinnell: N
For Creative Minds: After helping Baby Bear learn more about pollen, children can dive into the For Creative Minds section with activities that include: Ah-Achoo! Understanding Allergies, The Pollination Process & Bees: The Great Pollinators. Awards: Gold Mom's Choice Award, Gold President's Book Award
About the author: Shennen Bersani is an award-winning children's book illustrator & Achoo! Why Pollen Counts is her first book as an author. She has illustrated several books for Arbordale like Shark Baby: Home in the Cave & The Glaciers are Melting!. For more information, visit her website at www.achoowhypollencounts.com
Disclaimer: I received this book from Arbordale Publishing in exchange for my honest review. Regardless I only recommend products or services I have personally read or used & think my readers will enjoy.
- See more at: http://givingnsharing.blogspot.com/#sthash.7pHYnp5k.dpuf
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
This is the only book my Debbie will read! ...,
By Lisa McNeil June 22, 2015
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Kindle Edition)
This is the only book my Debbie will read! the pictures were remarkable and well written! I think she has memorized it by heart....and I need a new copy!
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
This fun and important story delights with it's sneezing bear character ...,
By Jackinthebox August 1, 2015
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Hardcover)
This fun and important story delights with it's sneezing bear character and the gorgeous illustrations. Anyone who's ever had spring hay fever will relate to this book... and find out what's pollen all about.
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
Gesundheit.,
By POV September 25, 2015
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Paperback)
Baby Bear awakens from a long winter's hibernation, eager to play in the sunshine with his forest friends. But soon his eyes are red and itchy and his fur is freckled with yellow dust. He sneezes: Achoo! He's miserable.
As his animal friends join him, they have the same problem.
Mother Bear explains that while pollen can be annoying, there would be no forest and plants and grass and flowers without pollen. Some of the animal life would not thrive without pollen; it's food for them. And, without bees and pollen, there would be no honey.
No honey? No sweet honey for Baby Bear to scoop up with his claws?
Maybe pollen isn't so bad ..... achoo....'scuse me, after all.
Bersani's inimitable artwork is entrancing, and the book concludes with explanations about allergies, the pollination process, and which flowers and plants attract which birds, insects, moths, and bats. Adults as well as children will learn from this book.
-----------------------------------
On Barns & Noble:
Editorial Reviews
Children's Literature - Bonita Herold
Baby Bear sneezes. It is springtime, and pollen covers everything outside his den. He complains to Valerie Vole, who explains that she, too, is allergic to pollen. Neither animal likes the sticky, yellow dust. But Momma Bear realizes its value. She says that some animals and insects eat it, and others spread it around to help pollinate plants. Sandy Spiderling eats it in the spring. Butterflies, bats, bees, and hummingbirds slurp up the pollen inside flowers in the summer. Ladybugs eat it in the fall. Some animals, such as snow owls, even eat it in the winter when it gets trapped inside snowflakes. When Baby Bear realizes he eats it, too, in the form of honey and snow and maybe even apples and berries, he realizes pollen is not such a bad thing after all. Full of illustrations and excitement for young elementary students, this book provides everything the reader would want to know about pollen. With four pages of interesting facts at the end, this guide is perfect for the classroom and home. Reviewer: Bonita Herold; Ages 4 to 8.
-----------------------------------
On goodreads:
Courtney Filigenzi's review
Sep 09, 15
5 of 5 stars
bookshelves: my-boys-and-i-love
Read in July, 2015
An adorable book about pollen and how it benefits and affects us! Gorgeous illustrations and informative facts that my nature and science-loving kids enjoyed!
-----------------------------
On An Apel A Day:
Alissa Apel's review
February 25, 2016
I adore the children's book I got called Achoo! Why Pollen Counts By Shennen Bersani to review.
An added perk was getting a special card from the author Shennen Bersani!
Plus the author signed it to my nephew Edison. He is going to get this book very soon.
What Achoo! Why Pollen Counts is about:
A baby bear is allergic to pollen. The grass is covered with it. The pollen makes baby bear sneeze, itch, and his eyes get watery.
The story covers what pollen is, how we need it, and what animals eat it to help them survive.
What I like about Achoo! Why Pollen Counts:
I've always been an allergy/asthma sufferer. This book relates to me. I know my nephew Edison is getting the book, but I also know his family is filled with allergy sufferers as well. It takes a complex topic, and makes it understandable to anyone.
I like the writing, and the cute illustrations. One thing that is different about this book compared to others is that it has 4 pages of learning activities in the back for creative minds:
Best for ages 4-7. Isaak who is almost 8 enjoyed it. I think the illustrations are great for younger. Kids love to be read to. They may not be able to do the activities in the back when they are younger than 4, but they still will enjoy this story!
Keywords: adaptations, basic needs, pollen, allergies, plant parts, plant life cycle, pollinators, pollination, bees
Animals in the book: black bear, bear, honeybee, ladybug, snow owl, spider, vole, zebra butterfly
Special Thanks: Dr. Alan Graham, Curator of Paleobotany & Palynology at Missouri Botanical Garden's Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development, for reviewing the accuracy of the information in this book.
-----------------------------
On Vegbooks.org:
Homa Woodrum's review
April 11, 2016
We received Achoo! Why Pollen Counts as a free review copy at our house, and my kids, age 5 and 7, could not wait to read it. I didn’t pre-read it, we simply sat down and dived right in.
Though I’ve reviewed books for Vegbooks about food allergies in the past, we are not strangers to seasonal and environmental allergies in our house. Both kids loved the inviting illustrations of Baby Bear and his forest friends and were fascinated to learn that pollen is a protein rich food. Even spiders eat pollen, while bees use it to make something called “beebread.” Both were new pieces of information for us!
Baby Bear learns all about pollen when, owing to his allergies, he wishes there was no pollen. This was very relatable because through learning more about the role pollen plays, he realizes that he doesn’t hate pollen (though there’s nothing wrong with being frustrated about being frustrated by it).
The book includes some informative details in the final pages as well as discussion points. Also included is a page to help understand allergies. It likens the immune system to a superhero to protect us but indicates that sometimes it gets confused. It also distinguishes between runny noses and more run-of-the-mill reactions and those that affect airways in a more significant way. “If this happens, you need to get medical help immediately,” the notes indicate.
The vocabulary is appropriate for the subject matter so it is probably best for ages 5 and up, though I think younger children can engage with the images and some of the information if read aloud.
Tags: Adaptations·Allergies·Bears·Bees·Early Elementary·Homa Woodrum·Human Body·Immune System·Plants·Pollination·Shennen Bersani·Spiders
-----------------------------
On Amazon UK
All about pollen….
By Bob Walch
on 28 May 2016
Format: Paperback
Here's a very good picture book that will explain the role of pollen in nature. It will also be very useful to share with a child who suffers from some type of allergy caused by plants. I liked the narrative and the activity pages the author includes. Pollen is a very important aspect of the natural cycle outdoors and this book will help you explain why that's so. Use it in the classroom or at home to help your child understand why some of us can be miserable even though pollen is so vital.....
-----------------------------
On Amazon:
5 of 5 starsThe pictures are adorable, and the story is both sweet and informative
ByJohn S.on March 14, 2018
Format: Paperback
A lovely book explaining pollen in a way small children can understand. The pictures are adorable, and the story is both sweet and informative. My daughter is 4 and she brought this book to share with her Montessori class. All the children loved it, and her teacher did too!
This book will appeal to younger students and teachers. Baby Bear is always sneezing, but he doesn't understand the cause of his discomfort. Mama Bear and other animals give Baby Bear important information about the pollination process and how the pollen causes an allergic reaction. Baby Bear learns that pollen is vital for food and growth for various plants and animals. Each pollen carrier gives Baby Bear an excellent description of their role in the pollination process. Also included is an activity section. These activities may be reproduced for classroom use. Bersani does a commendable job presenting factual information. Her realistic illustrations are appealing. Teachers will appreciate the many science curriculum connections. School librarians and science teachers needing information about pollinators and the pollination process will want to add this to their collections.
- Ruie Chehak
-----------------------------------
Agy Wilson reviews Achoo! Why Pollen Counts on JD Holiday's BTR: It's Story Time
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldofinknetwork/2015/05/12/its-story-time-jd-holiday-on-world-of-ink-network-512
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
All of the creatures are clear and beautifully realized. This isn't only a book for explaining …,
May 12, 2015 By Agy Wilson
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Paperback)
Baby Bear awakes to a warm gold-covered spring day and the sniffles. He's allergic to pollen and hates it! But as the vole, mama bear, zebra butterfly, spiderling and other forest creatures explain how pollen works and why it's important, Baby's irritation turns to understanding.
Bersani explains a complex subject straightforwardly and accompanies it with magical illustrations. All of the creatures are clear and beautifully realized.
This isn't only a book for explaining the way flowers and animals work together to sustain each other. There's also a wonderful section with activities for children guided by adults on flower parts, what allergies are, the pollination process, and the importance of bees as pollinators, and what kids can do to help them along. The author/illustrator has paintstakingly vetted the book with expert input, and combined it kid-friendly devices like alliteration and onomatopoeia. A wonderful resource that beautifully encourages children to care for the world around them, and casts participating adults in the expert role with the help and resources of this well sourced book.
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
Why This Book Counts!,
May 15, 2015 By B. Lanza "BarbaraL"
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Paperback)
What a wonderful book for children who learn along with Baby Bear the effects and uses of pollen. Follow Baby Bear as he reacts to his pollen allergy and finds that pollen has beneficial aspects as well. Shennen Bersani has written a charming story and has depicted all the woodland creatures beautifully, too. Watch Momma Bear cuddle and lick pollen off Baby Bear while explaining how pollen helps them and other creatures. Even in winter, when it is captured in ice crystals, it is eaten and nourishes some animals, including Baby Bear. Gorgeously illustrated, this book educates as well. Children will learn about allergies, the pollination process as well as the plants which produce pollen and the bees who act as pollinators.
-----------------------------------
May 16, 2015
connywithay.wordpress.com
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts
Title: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts
Author/Illustrator: Shennen Bersani
Publisher: Arbordale Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-62855-5592
“It’s messy. It’s itchy. It makes me – ah, ah, a-choo – sneeze! I wish there was no such thing as pollen,” Baby Bear declares in Shennen Bersani’s children’s book, Achoo! Why Pollen Counts.
At thirty-two unnumbered pages, this over-sized paperback with thick folding jacket covers targets children ages four to eight years old who enjoy educational stories about nature. With no scary scenes or profanity, it may be best read out loud by adults to beginner readers due to some complicated wording.
In this charming and enlightening story, Baby Bear comes out of his den after hibernating all winter and gets covered with pollen. Rolling around in the spring grass, he gets watery eyes, a runny nose, and itchy fur. Realizing he is allergic to pollen, the bear wishes there was no such thing as it.
Momma Bear explains that the forest needs the special dust as some animals eat it while others help pollinate plants with it. A springtime spider, a butterfly and bee during the summer, a fall harvest ladybug, and a winter owl inform the bear that pollen is needed during each season of the year. Although still allergic, Baby Bear changes his mind when he understands he eats pollen too; he comprehends how important it is to the world.
The last four pages have more educational tools of learning activities for creative minds that involves understanding allergies, flower parts with pictures, the pollination process, a matching puzzle of animals and insects to particular flowers, and information on bees being excellent pollinators. Numbered suggestions are offered on how to help honeybees survive.
What makes this book fun is not only the beautiful, detailed illustrations and a cute storyline that teaches about allergies, but also the informational data at the back of the book for older readers. Any child will love viewing the animals and insects to the floating pollen as they learn how vital this fine powder is to our planet throughout the four seasons.
Award-winning children’s book illustrator, author Bersani obviously loves nature and life lessons for children of all ages. Having illustrated many books with her detailed, realistic designs, the Massachusetts artist has produced her first written picture book.
Thanks to Arbordale Publishing and Bookpleasures for furnishing this complimentary book in exchange for a review of the reader’s honest opinion.
This review will be posted on Bookpleasures and Amazon with links on Bookfun.org, Godinterest, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
"Achoo" has it all, great illustrations, fun and lessons about pollen!,
May 17, 2015 By Donna
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Hardcover)
"Achoo! Why Pollen Counts..." is truly a treasure! It provides a great learning experience about the affects of pollen for both kids and adults. Baby bear's beautifully illustrated poses show how the pollen makes him feel: itchy, watery eyes, sticky and sneezy. Even though the pollen makes him very uncomfortable, he learns about all the good reasons why we have pollen.
Looking more closely at the illustrations, you'll find that the book is scattered with nature details; hummingbirds, bees, ants, moths, an owl, mushrooms, pine cones, clover, caterpillars and many more - these would provide a fun to search and find game with younger children. The back of the book provides much more facts and information about allergies, flower parts, the pollination process and bees, the great pollinators.
It's obvious with the quality of her art, the story and all the extra information listed in the back that Shennen Bersani put her heart and soul into making her first authored book a quality product. I haven't seen anything like in the market. "Achoo" will be fun to read as well as a way to relate baby bear's story to what is happening in your own outdoor surroundings.
-----------------------------------
Traci Bold's review May 18, 2015
5 of 5 stars
Read in May, 2015
Shennen Bersani gets to the heart of allergy season and the people and animals who suffer from it.
Pollen sufferers want the pollen gone but if that happens, then our entire ecosystem collapses, several species at a time. Pollen is IMPORTANT for so many reasons all of which Baby Bear finds out in this fun and educational picture book, 'Achoo! Why Pollen Counts'.
Colorful, realistic illustrations bring the book alive as numerous forest animals, Ladybug, Spiderling, Honeybee and Snow Owl give Baby Bear short lessons in why pollen is important.
Shennen incorporates facts educating children on the parts of flowers, what an allergy is and the pollination process throughout the story and in more detail at the end of the book. For parents and teachers and librarians, she offers activities and creative ventures for use of the book as well.
Honeybee populations are declining which becomes catastrophic if continues. The plight of the honey bee and bees in general rely on us humans to keep them going. Educate yourself and children, read this book and share it with others. We can help the honeybees.
-----------------------------------
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 Terra Heck - Heck of a Bunch Blog
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts - Children's Book Review and Giveaway
I received book for review from Arbordale Publishing. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.
Spring has arrived and pollen is in the air. Baby Bear does not like the pollen—it sticks to his fur and makes him itchy and sneezy. He’s allergic! Achoo! He just wishes the pollen were gone. But when his friends gather to tell him why they need pollen, Baby Bear learns that pollen is good for the forest and provides food for many animals, including him!
My Review:
If you have an allergy to pollen, it can make you miserable and I'm sure sufferers wish it didn't exist. Achoo! Why Pollen Counts is a children's book that details why pollen is so important (even to those who have to battle with its side effects). The book tells of Baby Bear, who is allergic to pollen. Baby Bear comes across other animals and insects who explain why pollen is important to them. For instance, he learns that some spiders catch pollen in their web and eat it. The animal illustrations are adorable, and the story is interestingly told.
The "For Creative Minds" section in the back of the book contains activities on understanding allergies, flower parts, the pollination process, pollinator matching, and bees: the great pollinators.
-----------------------------------
From Toni, on FictionDB May 23, 2015
Baby Bear wakes up from his Winter nap and finds himself suffering from pollen allergy. The pine forest has clouds of pollen blown about in the warm Spring wind. The forest floor is coated with pine needles and a blanket of pollen. Baby Bear gets pollen on his face and fur, which has him sneezing and suffering from itchy watery eyes. When his forest friends explain that his symptoms are caused by pollen allergens, he says, "I don't like pollen". His friends and his Mother do a great job of explaining why pollen is so important to everyone, and they do it in such a kind and friendly way. Baby Bear realizes that he does like pollen after all. This book is quite different than most children's picture books. It's words take a topic of suffering and messy pollen and create a mood of smooth, warm, and friendly fun. It makes you want to be there, in this world of freshness, calm, and friendliness. The illustrations are also so unique, using a beautiful bedtime story style and look while appearing as a new type of classic art style of forest creatures. Baby Bear rolling around in a bed of clover is priceless. It's use of clouds of pollen and cute soft characters provide a smooth mesmerizing effect that other books cannot capture. This book will be a favorite daily reader and bedtime story for toddlers, pre-school, and K-3 grades. I must rate it five stars.
-----------------------------------
From Penelope Ann Cole, on Penny's Book Reviews May 26, 2015
Achoo!
Why Pollen Counts
Written and illustrated
by Shennen Bersani
“Achoo! Why Pollen Counts,” by Shennen Bersani, is a sweet, educational book about a subject that most of us face, seasonal pollen allergies. Baby Bear steps out of his den into a golden, pollen dust-covered spring world. He sneezes and finds that Valerie Vole is also allergic to pollen.
Baby Bear’s mother cleans him off, and tells him more about pollen and pollinators. Sandy Spiderling, Zoe Zebra Butterfly, honey bees, hummingbirds, Lili Ladybird—all play their part in the cycle of pollination—even Sammy Snowy Owl. Some animals spread pollen, while some eat it. Ms. Bersani’s lovely illustrations are expressive, detailed, and support the story perfectly.
In the back of the book are additional pollen and allergy facts, some matching exercises to test your pollination knowledge, and educational information about bees: the great pollinators. This beautifully illustrated, educational book is highly recommended for school and home libraries, and for children ages six through eight.
“Achoo! Why Pollen Counts,” is published by Arbordale Publications; also available in Spanish.
Information on Author/Illustrator Shennen Bersani is at http://www.shennen.typepad.com/
Tags:
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts, Shennen Bersani, pollinators, pollen, bees, allergies, insects, flowers.
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
Best Children's Pollen Book and Bedtime Book Combined
May 28, 2015 By Mary Paolino
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Hardcover)
Baby Bear wakes to the beauty of Spring covered with pollen and dealing with the sneezing and watery itchy eyes of pollen allergy. This makes him agitated and wanting little to do with pollen. His forest friends and Mother explain to him in a caring and loving way how pollen is necessary and critically important for food and pollinating. The friends and the conversational exchanges with them are very well done and lovable. Baby Bear ends up changing his attitude about pollen and realizes it is critical to the lives of many. The writing flows well and describes the details of pollen and pollination in a way that young children ages 3-8 can relate to and love reading. It makes you enjoy being inside every page. The words are composed well and feel well integrated with the illustrations. These attributes are all important, but the real exceptional attribute of the book is all the beauty and emotion. Baby Bear is caught in moods and positions that display so much emotion and cuteness. The pollen in the air and on the ground do a wonderful job of creating a mood and feeling of being in a Spring forest. It captivates the reader and makes them feel like they're covered in pollen. The illustrations are exceptional. Baby Bear rolling around, rubbing his face against a tree, and Baby Bear's Mother licking off his pollen and hugging are pages that draw children to them over and over. Add the fact that there is a huge section at the back of the book that provides added facts and help for children, parents, or teachers who use the book to learn or teach about the forest, pollen, pollinators, allergies, pollen allergies, bears, and more.
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
This is a fun, fascinating book that will teach young children about pollen and why we need it …,
May 29, 2015 By D. Fowler
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Paperback)
Baby Bear's eyes looked swollen and itchy and he came out of his den. Rub, rub, rub! Even his little nose ran and his eyes watered from all the pollen in the air. "Achoo! Achoo!" The pollen was everywhere and "a coat of yellow dust covered the forest outside his home." Baby Bear rolled in the clover with his toes up in the air, but that yucky yellow pollen stuck to his coat. Even Valerie Vole began to sneeze when she came out of her burrow. "Achoo! Achoo!," what to do?
Rubbing up against tree bark was a great way to get rid of some of that yucky pollen. "It's messy. It's itchy, " Baby Bear exclaimed. "It makers me--ah, ah, a-choo--sneeze!" He wasn't crazy about pollen at all, but his mother cuddled him and began to tell him just how useful it was. Many of the forest plants and animals needed It to survive. Some would eat it while insects like bees pollinated plants as they moved from plant to plant. Bzzzzzz! Not all of the pollen out there would make Baby Bear sneeze and feel yucky.
Momma Bear told him about how Sandy Spiderling caught pollen in his web to eat it and how Zoe Zebra Butterfly used her long proboscis to get herself a "tasty meal." Baby Bear was very interested in those honeybees and Honey Bee told him all about pollen collection, beebread, and nectar. "Achoo! Achoo!" There were certainly a lot of things to learn about pollen and why the creatures of the fields and forest need it. Did you know that even wolves can use pollen? If not, you'll learn all about it in this book!
This is a fun, fascinating book that will teach young children about pollen and why we need it. Of course many children who are allergic to some forms of pollen might not find it useful, but will adore Baby Bear. He sneezes here and there throughout this highly informative book, one that makes it easy for children to understand the pollination process. The artwork is fun, vibrant and the picture book format makes it easy for even the most reluctant reader to learn some very interesting facts. In addition to the four pages of activities, there are free complementary activities on the publisher's website. This is an excellent read and discuss book for students in the homeschool or classroom setting.
Accelerated Reader: 3.3
Flesch-Kincaid: 3.2
Lexile: 670L
Fountas and Pinnell: N
This book courtesy of the publisher.
-----------------------------------
Outnumbered 3 to 1
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts by Shennen Bersani is the tale of Baby Bear and his discovery that pollen sticks to all his fur and it makes him sneeze! He wishes for the pollen to be gone but he starts talking to his animal friends and learns why pollen is so important to us all…even him. The illustrations are adorable while still teaching kids about pollen in a fun and interesting way.
-----------------------------------
Chat With Vera
Wednesday, June 24, 2015 Achoo! Why Pollen Counts by Author/Illustrator Shennen Bersani
Hardcover: 9781628555509, $17.95
Paperback: 9781628555592, $9.95
About the book: Spring has arrived and pollen is in the air. Baby Bear does not like the pollen—it sticks to his fur and makes him itchy and sneezy. He’s allergic! Achoo! He just wishes the pollen were gone. But when his friends gather to tell him why they need pollen, Baby Bear learns that pollen is good for the forest and provides food for many animals, including him!
My thoughts: Allergies are so unpleasant and affect so many folks. Allergies to pollens are dreaded but few folks who are contending with this problem stop and think how thankful they should be for the pollens. In Achoo! Why Pollen Counts the young reader learns about allergies and also about the importance of pollen.
Personally, I'm one of those affected by pollens and I, like "Baby Bear," contend with the days of itching and sneezing during the pollen season. However, Baby Bear meets a variety of critters including spiders, butterflies, and small animals who each explain how pollen helps them.
The story is sweet and the illustrations absolutely wonderful. The lessons on the value of pollen and how it is spread and its purpose and action in the cycle of life are really good. I love, too, the "For Creative Minds" pages at the end of the book. These enable the parent or teacher to further expand the learning opportunity with more information and activities.
I have just one little question. Do animals in the wild experience allergic reactions to pollen? While it makes for a cute story and Baby Bear is charming, in a book that deals with educational insights, it is important not to introduce inaccurate information in the story line even for the sake of a sweet tale.
Love the book. Love the information. Absolutely love the illustrations!
Author/Illustrator Info: While is an award-winning children’s book illustrator, Achoo! Why Pollen Counts is her debut picture book as an author. Her art delivers a unique blend of realism, heartfelt emotion, love of nature, and life lessons for children of all ages. She has illustrated Salamander Season; Sea Slime: It’s Eeuwy, Gooey and Under the Sea; The Shape Family Babies; Animal Partners; Shark Baby; Home in the Cave; The Glaciers are Melting!; and Astro: The Steller Sea Lion for Arbordale. Shennen has also illustrated a number of best-selling books, including, Snakes: Long, Longer, Longest; Sharks: Big, Bigger, Biggest; Ocean Counting: Odd Numbers; and Icky Bug Shapes. Shennen lives near Boston. For more information, visit her website at www.shennenbersani.com.
I was provided a complimentary copy by Arbordale Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are solely my own. I received no compensation for the review.
-----------------------------------
Bookloons.com Achoo! Why Pollen Counts, by Shennen Bersani
Reviewed by Lyn Seippel
Spring is here. It's allergy time. Baby Bear has itchy, watery eyes, and a runny nose. He sniffles and sneezes and scratches. His fur is covered in yellow pollen. Baby Bear is allergic to pollen. He wishes the pollen would all disappear.
Mother Bear explains that the world needs pollen for the plants and animals. Some animals eat pollen and others move it around to help pollinate plants. Many insects eat pollen. Spiders eat pollen caught in their webs. Honey bees, butterflies, bats and hummingbirds carry pollen from flower to flower, pollinating the plants that grow fruits and berries.
Mother Bear's lesson for Baby Bear explains why we need pollen and can't do without it. Nobody likes allergies, but it might make the suffering more bearable knowing that the world needs pollen.
Writer and illustrator, Shennen Bersani has done a great job of explaining why even pollen has its place in the world. In addition to Bear's story, check the final pages of the book for a glossary and an education section called For Creative Minds. Helpful teaching activities about pollen and allergies are also available online.
-----------------------------------
Mymcbooks's Blog reviewed by Ella Johnson
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts by Shennen Bersani
About the Book: Spring has arrived and pollen is in the air. Baby Bear does not like the pollen—it sticks to his fur and makes him itchy and sneezy. He’s allergic! Achoo! He just wishes the pollen were gone. But when his friends gather to tell him why they need pollen, Baby Bear learns that pollen is good for the forest and provides food for many animals, including him!
My Review: It was interesting to know that pollen is good for the forest and also provides food for many animals. Some types of pollen are light and float in the air, while some are heavier and cling to flowers. Many insects ear pollen, the spiders catch pollen in their web and eat it for dinner. The bees use pollen and nectar to make beebread. Ladybug snack on pollen in the fall, they find that it has plenty of protein to help them hibernate in the winter.
Also, it’s interesting to know that pollen floats high in the cloud. It clings to water, freezes, and form ice crystal. They grow, fall and form snowflakes. Pollen makes some humans and animals sneeze but it also provides food for many animals.
The last 4 pages include learning activities from understanding allergies, flower parts, pollination process, bees are the great pollinators pollinator matching – animals spreading pollen from flower to flower. Great illustrations which helps tell the story.
FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from Arbordale Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.
-----------------------------------
KID'S BOOK BUZZ
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts
Posted in August 2015, Book Reviews, Children's by Heidi - August 07, 2015
By Shennen Bersani
Arbordale Publishing, $9.95, 32 pages, Format: Trade
There’s a little bear who wakes up from his sleeping in the winter and he starts to run an errand in the fresh air, but he starts sneezing from pollen! He says that he hates pollen, but then he talks to all these animals that need to eat pollen. Bees and lots of insects eat pollen, and spiders eat it too!
Pollen also pollinates the flowers so fruits can grow.The owl tells him that pollen clings to rain droplets that freeze in the clouds and then falls as snow, and lots of animals eat the snow, including Baby Bear! So then Baby Bear is happier about pollen, because he knows that it is important.
I like the story and the pictures in this book. It is something that I think my younger sister would like; I really think it would be a good book for children that are younger than me to learn about pollen.
At the back of the book there is more information about pollen and pollination and even about allergies, which make Baby Bear sneeze. But my favorite part of the book is the pictures of Baby Bear, because he is really really cute!
Reviewed by Raif, Age 6
Buy it on Amazon
-----------------------------------
Givingnsharing.blogspot.com
How many of you have allergies or have kids with allergies? This is a fun book filled with cute animals that live off pollen and a couple of them get the sneezes from it! Read on:
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts
By Shennen Bersani
ISBN: 9781628555509
$11.05 (hardcover)
$ 9.95 (paperback)
$ 9.95 (kindle)
Spanish paperback & Creative Minds activities available on the website HERE
About the book:
Spring has arrived and pollen is in the air. Baby Bear does not like the pollen – it sticks to his fur and makes him itchy and sneezy. He's allergic! Achoo! He just wishes the pollen were gone. When his friends gather to tell him why they need pollen, Baby Bear learns that pollen is good for the forest and provides food for many animals, including him! Pollen might be something we all love to hate, but can we really live without it? This story explains why we need it.
My thoughts:
In Achoo! Your children learn about various animals and insects that eat/drink pollen throughout the four seasons. Your kids will meet Valerie Vole, Sandy Spiderling, Zoe Zebra Butterfly, Honey Bee, Lili Ladybug & Sammy Snow Owl. My kids pour over these books looking at the pictures and making up stories about the scenes that they are looking at & asking questions about the information they are looking at.
The pictures in this story really make the story - they are eye catching, draw kids (and adults into the story) and I found my kids studying the pictures to get clues about the story. The basic idea for the story is a little bear who is allergic to Pollen. I have a 4 1/2 year old who has severe allergies and so she connected right to the story. Connor (7 1/2) loved looking at the various animals and insects in the story and all of us learned something new about the role of pollen in the wild. I knew about bees & hummingbirds of course but never realized that pollen is used year round and that spiders drink it & I didn't realize that bees make a honeybread to feed their young. View the ebook
Details: Age 4-8, 32 pages, available in English/Spanish & ebook/auto-flip pages w/ audio formats. Reading Level Aligned: Accelerated reader: 3.3, Flesch-Kincaid: 3.2, Lexile: 670L, Fountas & Pinnell: N
For Creative Minds: After helping Baby Bear learn more about pollen, children can dive into the For Creative Minds section with activities that include: Ah-Achoo! Understanding Allergies, The Pollination Process & Bees: The Great Pollinators. Awards: Gold Mom's Choice Award, Gold President's Book Award
About the author: Shennen Bersani is an award-winning children's book illustrator & Achoo! Why Pollen Counts is her first book as an author. She has illustrated several books for Arbordale like Shark Baby: Home in the Cave & The Glaciers are Melting!. For more information, visit her website at www.achoowhypollencounts.com
Disclaimer: I received this book from Arbordale Publishing in exchange for my honest review. Regardless I only recommend products or services I have personally read or used & think my readers will enjoy.
- See more at: http://givingnsharing.blogspot.com/#sthash.7pHYnp5k.dpuf
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
This is the only book my Debbie will read! ...,
By Lisa McNeil June 22, 2015
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Kindle Edition)
This is the only book my Debbie will read! the pictures were remarkable and well written! I think she has memorized it by heart....and I need a new copy!
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
This fun and important story delights with it's sneezing bear character ...,
By Jackinthebox August 1, 2015
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Hardcover)
This fun and important story delights with it's sneezing bear character and the gorgeous illustrations. Anyone who's ever had spring hay fever will relate to this book... and find out what's pollen all about.
-----------------------------------
On Amazon:
Gesundheit.,
By POV September 25, 2015
This review is from: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts (Paperback)
Baby Bear awakens from a long winter's hibernation, eager to play in the sunshine with his forest friends. But soon his eyes are red and itchy and his fur is freckled with yellow dust. He sneezes: Achoo! He's miserable.
As his animal friends join him, they have the same problem.
Mother Bear explains that while pollen can be annoying, there would be no forest and plants and grass and flowers without pollen. Some of the animal life would not thrive without pollen; it's food for them. And, without bees and pollen, there would be no honey.
No honey? No sweet honey for Baby Bear to scoop up with his claws?
Maybe pollen isn't so bad ..... achoo....'scuse me, after all.
Bersani's inimitable artwork is entrancing, and the book concludes with explanations about allergies, the pollination process, and which flowers and plants attract which birds, insects, moths, and bats. Adults as well as children will learn from this book.
-----------------------------------
On Barns & Noble:
Editorial Reviews
Children's Literature - Bonita Herold
Baby Bear sneezes. It is springtime, and pollen covers everything outside his den. He complains to Valerie Vole, who explains that she, too, is allergic to pollen. Neither animal likes the sticky, yellow dust. But Momma Bear realizes its value. She says that some animals and insects eat it, and others spread it around to help pollinate plants. Sandy Spiderling eats it in the spring. Butterflies, bats, bees, and hummingbirds slurp up the pollen inside flowers in the summer. Ladybugs eat it in the fall. Some animals, such as snow owls, even eat it in the winter when it gets trapped inside snowflakes. When Baby Bear realizes he eats it, too, in the form of honey and snow and maybe even apples and berries, he realizes pollen is not such a bad thing after all. Full of illustrations and excitement for young elementary students, this book provides everything the reader would want to know about pollen. With four pages of interesting facts at the end, this guide is perfect for the classroom and home. Reviewer: Bonita Herold; Ages 4 to 8.
-----------------------------------
On goodreads:
Courtney Filigenzi's review
Sep 09, 15
5 of 5 stars
bookshelves: my-boys-and-i-love
Read in July, 2015
An adorable book about pollen and how it benefits and affects us! Gorgeous illustrations and informative facts that my nature and science-loving kids enjoyed!
-----------------------------
On An Apel A Day:
Alissa Apel's review
February 25, 2016
I adore the children's book I got called Achoo! Why Pollen Counts By Shennen Bersani to review.
An added perk was getting a special card from the author Shennen Bersani!
Plus the author signed it to my nephew Edison. He is going to get this book very soon.
What Achoo! Why Pollen Counts is about:
A baby bear is allergic to pollen. The grass is covered with it. The pollen makes baby bear sneeze, itch, and his eyes get watery.
The story covers what pollen is, how we need it, and what animals eat it to help them survive.
What I like about Achoo! Why Pollen Counts:
I've always been an allergy/asthma sufferer. This book relates to me. I know my nephew Edison is getting the book, but I also know his family is filled with allergy sufferers as well. It takes a complex topic, and makes it understandable to anyone.
I like the writing, and the cute illustrations. One thing that is different about this book compared to others is that it has 4 pages of learning activities in the back for creative minds:
- Ah-Achoo! Understanding Alleriges
- Flower Parts
- The Pollination Process
- Pollinator Matching
- Bees: The Great Pollinators
Best for ages 4-7. Isaak who is almost 8 enjoyed it. I think the illustrations are great for younger. Kids love to be read to. They may not be able to do the activities in the back when they are younger than 4, but they still will enjoy this story!
Keywords: adaptations, basic needs, pollen, allergies, plant parts, plant life cycle, pollinators, pollination, bees
Animals in the book: black bear, bear, honeybee, ladybug, snow owl, spider, vole, zebra butterfly
Special Thanks: Dr. Alan Graham, Curator of Paleobotany & Palynology at Missouri Botanical Garden's Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development, for reviewing the accuracy of the information in this book.
-----------------------------
On Vegbooks.org:
Homa Woodrum's review
April 11, 2016
We received Achoo! Why Pollen Counts as a free review copy at our house, and my kids, age 5 and 7, could not wait to read it. I didn’t pre-read it, we simply sat down and dived right in.
Though I’ve reviewed books for Vegbooks about food allergies in the past, we are not strangers to seasonal and environmental allergies in our house. Both kids loved the inviting illustrations of Baby Bear and his forest friends and were fascinated to learn that pollen is a protein rich food. Even spiders eat pollen, while bees use it to make something called “beebread.” Both were new pieces of information for us!
Baby Bear learns all about pollen when, owing to his allergies, he wishes there was no pollen. This was very relatable because through learning more about the role pollen plays, he realizes that he doesn’t hate pollen (though there’s nothing wrong with being frustrated about being frustrated by it).
The book includes some informative details in the final pages as well as discussion points. Also included is a page to help understand allergies. It likens the immune system to a superhero to protect us but indicates that sometimes it gets confused. It also distinguishes between runny noses and more run-of-the-mill reactions and those that affect airways in a more significant way. “If this happens, you need to get medical help immediately,” the notes indicate.
The vocabulary is appropriate for the subject matter so it is probably best for ages 5 and up, though I think younger children can engage with the images and some of the information if read aloud.
Tags: Adaptations·Allergies·Bears·Bees·Early Elementary·Homa Woodrum·Human Body·Immune System·Plants·Pollination·Shennen Bersani·Spiders
-----------------------------
On Amazon UK
All about pollen….
By Bob Walch
on 28 May 2016
Format: Paperback
Here's a very good picture book that will explain the role of pollen in nature. It will also be very useful to share with a child who suffers from some type of allergy caused by plants. I liked the narrative and the activity pages the author includes. Pollen is a very important aspect of the natural cycle outdoors and this book will help you explain why that's so. Use it in the classroom or at home to help your child understand why some of us can be miserable even though pollen is so vital.....
-----------------------------
On Amazon:
5 of 5 starsThe pictures are adorable, and the story is both sweet and informative
ByJohn S.on March 14, 2018
Format: Paperback
A lovely book explaining pollen in a way small children can understand. The pictures are adorable, and the story is both sweet and informative. My daughter is 4 and she brought this book to share with her Montessori class. All the children loved it, and her teacher did too!
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts review by Jonny
Student Review
Jonny
Age at time of review - 12
Reviewer's Location - Matthews, NC, United States
View Jonny's profile Achoo! Why Pollen Counts by Shennen Bersani is about a baby bear who comes out of his den in the spring, sneezing so much that he wishes pollen didn’t exist. When he meets up with his mom, she cleans him up and explains how important pollen is. Then he wanders around and meets all sorts of critters who explain why pollen is important to them too.
It’s a cute story with catchy language that is easy to understand and educational at the same time. It even has a “For Creative Minds” section at the end that has interesting information about allergies, pollination, and bees. A couple of activities about flower parts and pollinators make learning fun, and anyone can read more about allergies, pollen, insects, and bears if they look up resources listed in the bibliography that is included. The very best part of this book is its beautiful artwork. Happy pictures with bright colors and a swirling effect that mimics pollen in the air practically jump off every page.
Opinion: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts is written for children ages 5-8, but I can’t imagine who wouldn’t love this book (no matter how old they are)! It is a fantastic multi-purpose book that is perfect for anyone who enjoys nature or wants to know more about pollen. The artwork is detailed enough that young children can picture walk themselves through the basic story. Parents can help their children learn the names of specific creatures that they may not have seen before or do not know yet. Anyone could use it as a guide to help others understand allergy symptoms better, what pollen is, and how it’s used in nature. The more I read this book and looked at its pictures, the more detail I saw and the more I learned. It was like taking a real nature walk outdoors and finding something new to explore with every next step. RATING 5 STAR
Watch the review video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW3LzRHfSsI&feature=youtu.be
Student Review
Jonny
Age at time of review - 12
Reviewer's Location - Matthews, NC, United States
View Jonny's profile Achoo! Why Pollen Counts by Shennen Bersani is about a baby bear who comes out of his den in the spring, sneezing so much that he wishes pollen didn’t exist. When he meets up with his mom, she cleans him up and explains how important pollen is. Then he wanders around and meets all sorts of critters who explain why pollen is important to them too.
It’s a cute story with catchy language that is easy to understand and educational at the same time. It even has a “For Creative Minds” section at the end that has interesting information about allergies, pollination, and bees. A couple of activities about flower parts and pollinators make learning fun, and anyone can read more about allergies, pollen, insects, and bears if they look up resources listed in the bibliography that is included. The very best part of this book is its beautiful artwork. Happy pictures with bright colors and a swirling effect that mimics pollen in the air practically jump off every page.
Opinion: Achoo! Why Pollen Counts is written for children ages 5-8, but I can’t imagine who wouldn’t love this book (no matter how old they are)! It is a fantastic multi-purpose book that is perfect for anyone who enjoys nature or wants to know more about pollen. The artwork is detailed enough that young children can picture walk themselves through the basic story. Parents can help their children learn the names of specific creatures that they may not have seen before or do not know yet. Anyone could use it as a guide to help others understand allergy symptoms better, what pollen is, and how it’s used in nature. The more I read this book and looked at its pictures, the more detail I saw and the more I learned. It was like taking a real nature walk outdoors and finding something new to explore with every next step. RATING 5 STAR
Watch the review video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW3LzRHfSsI&feature=youtu.be
Achoo! Why Pollen Counts review by hawkreader10
Student Review
hawkreader10
Age at time of review - 13
Reviewer's Location - Corning, New York, United States
View hawkreader10's profileAchoo! Baby Bear is allergic to pollen. And he gets covered in it as soon as he wakes up from his long winter hibernation! As he struggles to get rid of the sticky yellow dust covering his fur, Baby Bear decides he does NOT like pollen. He even says that he wishes pollen didn't exist. But as his other animal friends wake up, Baby bear learns that pollen does a lot more than just make him sneeze. In fact, many other animals and insects rely on pollen. His friends Sandy Spiderling, Zoe Zebra Butterfly, and some honey bee larvae even eat it! Will Baby Bear be able to use all his new knowledge to make the best of this “sticky” situation?
Opinion: At first, pollen might seem like a strange subject for a children’s book, but in Achoo! Why Pollen Counts by Shennen Bersani, the curious young reader will learn many interesting facts about pollen right along with Baby Bear. The easy to follow storyline and colorful pictures will engage young readers and help them learn about pollen in a fun way. Parents who are reading with their children will probably learn a lot, too.
Bersani packs a lot of scientific information into her story, while still keeping it at a level that young children can understand. Additional information and activity pages in the back of the book offer an opportunity for children to apply their new knowledge.
I would recommend this book for children three to seven years old to enjoy with their parents. Kids with allergies will be able to identify with Baby Bear and maybe see a brighter side to pollen. RATING 5 STAR
Student Review
hawkreader10
Age at time of review - 13
Reviewer's Location - Corning, New York, United States
View hawkreader10's profileAchoo! Baby Bear is allergic to pollen. And he gets covered in it as soon as he wakes up from his long winter hibernation! As he struggles to get rid of the sticky yellow dust covering his fur, Baby Bear decides he does NOT like pollen. He even says that he wishes pollen didn't exist. But as his other animal friends wake up, Baby bear learns that pollen does a lot more than just make him sneeze. In fact, many other animals and insects rely on pollen. His friends Sandy Spiderling, Zoe Zebra Butterfly, and some honey bee larvae even eat it! Will Baby Bear be able to use all his new knowledge to make the best of this “sticky” situation?
Opinion: At first, pollen might seem like a strange subject for a children’s book, but in Achoo! Why Pollen Counts by Shennen Bersani, the curious young reader will learn many interesting facts about pollen right along with Baby Bear. The easy to follow storyline and colorful pictures will engage young readers and help them learn about pollen in a fun way. Parents who are reading with their children will probably learn a lot, too.
Bersani packs a lot of scientific information into her story, while still keeping it at a level that young children can understand. Additional information and activity pages in the back of the book offer an opportunity for children to apply their new knowledge.
I would recommend this book for children three to seven years old to enjoy with their parents. Kids with allergies will be able to identify with Baby Bear and maybe see a brighter side to pollen. RATING 5 STAR