Early Book Review: Summertime Sleepers: Animals That Estivate by Melissa Stewart, Sarah S. Brannen

Summertime Sleepers: Animals That Estivate is a nonfiction picturebook written by Melissa Stewart and illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen. It is currently scheduled for release on April 27 2021.

All science classrooms discuss animals that hibernate during winter months, but few know about animals that estivate--a prolonged sleep during hot or dry periods. Dual layers of text awaken readers to the reasons estivating animals become dormant--whether it's because warm weather threatens food supply or to avoid increased body temperatures. From the ladybug to the salamander, from the lungfish to the desert hedgehog, twelve estivating animals and their habits--both when sleeping and awake--are explained through clear text and watercolor illustrations that create a scrapbook feel.

Summertime Sleepers: Animals That Estivate is a realistically illustrated introduction to something  I have not really thought about, or learned much about, over the years. I had read about specific animals that estivate, but did not know the range of creatures that have this unique skill, and the variety of reasons and forms it can take. I thought the text and artwork were well balanced, and the text was well worded, making it accessible without stepping over the line into condescending. I really enjoyed that there  was additional informational text at the end of the book.