Chipmunk Secrets

Fiston, the funny little chipmunk, shows you their secrets!

Children - Non-Fiction
39 Pages
Reviewed on 11/18/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite

Chipmunks are wonderful little animals with intriguing personalities. One of them is a chipmunk named Fiston. This cute little rodent is eager to share with us all aspects of a chipmunk's life. Fiston explains why these animals are called "chipmunks", where they live, and how they prepare for the winter. Fiston invites us into their dwellings and shows us where chipmunks keep their food stocks. Fiston reveals the interesting features of the anatomy of chipmunks and unexpected facts about their diet. Do you know how many babies chipmunks usually have? Chipmunk Secrets by Lieve Snellings is an educational non-fiction book for children from 6 to 11 years of age and adult nature lovers.

Chipmunk Secrets will capture children's attention from the first page. Lieve Snellings's amazing photographs illustrate every habit and characteristic of these lovely animals. I appreciated the perfect editorial work. The author's appealing writing style and handy footnotes allow children to grasp scientific terms, like granivores. Lieve shares many lesser-known fun facts about chipmunks. I didn't know that chipmunks were called "little Swiss" in Quebec, Canada. The story of this name is fascinating. Also, the picture demonstrates how intricate a chipmunk's burrow can be. The author even adds a legend of the Iroquois people, interpreting why chipmunks have stripes on their backs. The chipmunk narrator makes the book interactive and brings young readers closer to these animals and their natural habitats. The more we learn about nature and animals, the more responsible we are for the environment. Chipmunk Secrets will stay with children forever and will shape their perception of the natural world.

Roxanne Woodruff

Great info. Super photos!
Love it!

D.P.

Wonderful Book
I ordered this book for our grandson after I myself fell in love with a backyard chipmunk. The book is beautifully done, very educational (I learned too!), and the photography will put a smile on your face. Congratulations to the author on being recognized as a Book Excellence Award finalist. Well deserved.

Niki Colemont

«Chipmunk Secrets» appears as a very pleasant and educational book. The photos are extensive and diverse, covering all aspects of chipmunks (ground squirrels). The author, Lieve Snellings, has gained a significant amount of knowledge from following chipmunks for a considerable amount of time. It also shows her love for the subject, which is certainly a plus.
Young readers will appreciate the well-integrated texts and visual information in the illustrations.
The idea of integrating Fiston’s character into the world of chipmunks is a good idea, as it directly involves the readers in the story.
In general, I am very impressed with this book.
Great job, Snellings!

Niki Colemont, internationaal eekhoorn fotograaf, National Geographic Photography Contest Winner 2022 en European Photography Award Winner 2023

Nancy Rose

What a delightful book about chipmunks!
I have many chipmunks in my yard but I learned so much from this book that I didn’t know.
Lieve Snellings’s wonderful photographs are clear and detailed, with beautiful close-ups. There is easy-to-understand information about the types of chipmunks found worldwide and their scientific names. Each photo has interesting text that describes a bit more about the appearance, lifecycle, and habits of the chipmunk.
New vocabulary is introduced and explained well. I love the illustration of how chipmunks dig their burrows with all the hidden “snack rooms”.
This book is sure to appeal to children of all ages who love animals and all those interested in knowing more about the natural world.
I love this book!

NANCY ROSE, author/photographer/illustrator of « The Secret Life of Squirrels » series

Book Lover

Informative and charming!
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am so glad I did! Lieve does it again with her informative prose and wonderful photos! A thorough and interesting book packed with information about chipmunks! I enjoyed it very much and highly recommend purchasing it for children who love to learn about animals!

Barbara Mojica

I was elated to receive book five in this author’s stunning picture book series about groundhogs, chipmunks, and squirrels. In this edition, adorable Fiston reveals the secrets of life as a chipmunk.
I love watching these adorable creatures prance around my backyard in the northeastern U.S. Snellings taught me how they eat, move, hibernate, raise their young, and protect themselves.
It is fascinating that these creatures can weigh only two to four ounces yet manage to collect as many as 165 acorns a day when preparing for hibernation! As a history buff, I was delighted to learn about the Iroquois myth connected to them and the analogy of their coloring to the uniforms of the Swiss Guards at the Vatican. The photography is spectacular. Children can visually understand and relate to the fascinating facts that Fiston reveals to his new friends.
I highly recommend adding this beautiful book both to a home or classroom library as a gem of knowledge and a beautiful piece of photography.

Barbara Mojica is the author of the series 'Little Miss HISTORY Travels'.

PeaceLoveHope

Who doesn’t love chipmunks?!
This is a delightful book for children about chipmunks. Snellings’ photography never disappoints and the layout of pictures/text boxes is excellent. I found it extremely easy to read and wow, it’s packed full of interesting facts. I certainly learned some things. I’ve read all of Snellings’ books and I have to say I think this is her best one yet. Well done.

MARIANNE REESE

This is an adorable educational book with bright colorful images, making it a fun learning experience for young readers around the world.

NeoMuadDib

I’ve read a lot of informational books about animals, books with photographs of animals and stories narrated by animals, but this book does it all . . . AND it’s just so cute!
You will immediately fall in love with Fiston, the cutest little chipmunk you’ve ever seen! You will learn so much about chipmunks – at least I did! Did you know there are 25 species of chipmunks? Do you know what they eat, how they live, where they live, how they look, and how many pups they have? Well, you will after reading this adorable book! This book is even more fun because the fun facts, or “secrets,” are all told by Fiston!
There’s a lot of information in this book, but little ones (and their parents/caregivers/teachers) won’t feel like it’s a boring lesson because the photographs of Fiston (and relatives) on every page are just that adorable! Kids will have a new found respect for these animals and will want to look at this book over and over again. In fact, I think I will be looking at this book over and over again!

ANNETTE SPRATTE

Informative Book With Adorable Photos
What a lovely book this is! It certainly helps that chipmunks are so cute, but the photographs illustrating all the interesting facts about the little critters are brilliant, making reading a great joy.
I can’t imagine anyone not loving this book.

Barbara Roman

Insights into the world of wildlife
Most children today are familiar with the mischievous animated chipmunks that sing Christmas songs and star in delightful Alvin and the Chipmunk films. Fiston and his family show us a different side, a realistic depiction of their daily life, and their importance in our natural environment.
The photographs are beautiful, though not as whimsical as Snellings’ other books. There are loads of facts about these little wood creatures – recognized by their puffy cheeks full of food and handsome striped coat – where they live and how they have evolved into a variety of species known in different parts of the world.
Children who love nature will be well educated and gain a healthy respect for wildlife in this latest addition to Snellings’ series of award-winning books on groundhogs, squirrels and chipmunks. Make space on your child’s bookshelf for this one.

Philip Gegan

Entertaining, and beautiful picturesReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 30, 2023
A well-written and beautifully illustrated story for children aged 6 to 11 years, telling them all about chipmunks, also known as ground squirrels, among other names.
The writer covers all the essential information that every child will want to know, but in an entertaining and interesting way so as to make learning fun.
This book should be on every child’s bookshelf.

Rebecca S

“Chipmunk Secrets: Fiston, the funny little chipmunk, shows you their secrets!” is an ambitious children’s non-fiction book that aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of these charming creatures. Although the intent is commendable, the execution leaves something to be desired.£First and foremost, the font choice in this book is truly unique – or should we say, bold. Comic Sans, with its playful and slightly quirky appearance, may appeal to some young readers. However, it’s important to note that the readability may be an issue for others. The pages are filled to the brim with information, often making it hard to decipher the text from the illustrations. A simpler font choice might have made the reading experience more enjoyable and accessible for its intended audience.
The book is packed with facts, and it’s evident that the author has done their homework. From the chipmunks’ habits and habitats to their diet and life cycle, there’s no shortage of information. Unfortunately, the excessive amount of text on each page may overwhelm some young readers. A more concise and engaging narrative could have made the learning experience much more enjoyable.
One aspect of the book that stands out is the colourful and detailed photography. The chipmunks come to life on the pages, and their expressions and movements are beautifully captured. Young readers will appreciate these visual aids, which help to break up the otherwise dense text.
On a positive note, the author’s enthusiasm for chipmunks is clear and infectious. They genuinely want to share the wonders of these furry creatures with their audience, and the love for the subject matter is evident on every page. This passion may help to engage young readers who are particularly interested in wildlife and nature.
In conclusion, “Chipmunk Secrets: Fiston, the funny little chipmunk, shows you their secrets!” is a valiant effort to educate young readers about these delightful creatures. The choice of Comic Sans and the text-heavy format may not be to everyone’s liking, but the book’s heart is in the right place. With some simplification and a more reader-friendly font choice, this book could reach its full potential and better serve its target audience. If you’re willing to sift through the text, you’ll find a wealth of information about chipmunks that’s sure to appeal to budding naturalists.

SA Krishnan

Informative and cute
Fiston, the chipmunk tells us his story and his secrets.
Lovely photographs and very informative about a lot of details about chipmunks, including their ‘lethargy’ and mating.
Good read for children.

Maxine Sylvester

A fun way for young ones to learn
If you know any budding David Attenborough’s out there, then ‘Chipmunk Secrets: Fiston, the funny little chipmunk, shares their secrets’ is a must for their collection.
Told in a simplistic and charming way, this book has every fact you need to know about chipmunks. The photographs, like in all Lieve Snellings books, are taken by the author and top-notch: the image with the mother and babies is particularly outstanding.
There’s no doubt in my mind that the author is very much in touch with her inner child, and her latest instalment is a fun way for young ones to learn about wildlife and an enjoyable way to encourage them to get back to nature.
Highly recommended

Sue Finch

Fabulous Chipmunk Secrets
This is a beautiful book, with stunning photos of Fiston the chipmunk telling us fun facts that children will love. My favourites: ‘We can can collect up to 165 acorns a day’, and ‘Our cheeks can stretch up to three times the size of our heads’! A perfect present for my grandchildren aged 2, 4, and 6 who collect acorns and conkers all the time, and are fascinated by squirrels. Another wonderful addition to Lieve Snellings’ lovely series of books about squirrels, groundhogs, and chipmunks.

Kelle

Interesting book about chipmunks. I learned somethings about them. I did not how many species there were in the world.

ANGIE PHOENIX RAINEZ

This beautifully illustrated childrens book would be a great addition to any child interested in nature.
Every page of this photo book is filled with wonderful colour photographs, all taken by the Author Lieve Snellings. It gives a child a fun and interesting way to look into the secret world of a cute chipmunk named Fiston.

Kindle Customer

Fiston the Chipmunk narrates this adorable nonfiction picture book sharing facts (secrets) about his chipmunk life. The author has included her outstanding photographs in this book. This story was so good I plan to look for other books by Lieve Snellings.

Sandy Butler

An ideal gift for young readers!
Snellings invites the young reader into the world of Fiston the chipmunk, describing their history, habits, and all-around cuteness with charm and accessibility. Chipmunk Secrets will absolutely be on my holiday gift list for my young nieces and nephews.

Stacy Behalen

I was excited to see this book as both I and my grandchildren have loved the author’s other book about groundhogs and other small wild animals. This did not disappoint, in fact the close-up photos of chipmunks are some of the best i’ve seen–they are engaging and perfectly illustrate the details about chipmunk life that Fiston the chipmunk is revealing–from teeth to toenails. Really recommend this for anyone interested in learning about animals.

Christina J Lopez

“That is the magic of Lieve’s books, and I eagerly anticipate each new release.”
From the moment I cracked open ‘Chipmunk Secrets,’ my heart couldn’t help but melt at the sheer cuteness of Fiston. But this wasn’t my first encounter with this endearing little character; Elvis and I had met him before. Lieve possesses a remarkable storytelling ability that has evolved from her nature photography, seamlessly transitioning into the world of books.
While nature photography inherently tells a captivating story, Lieve has taken those stunning visuals and woven them into children’s books. These books offer young readers the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature from an early age. Just imagine a world where children can learn about the wonders of the natural world through the pages of books, not through illustrations, but through actual photographs taken in the wild.
That is the magic of Lieve’s books, and I eagerly anticipate each new release.
The characters in Lieve’s stories are incredibly well-rounded, almost as if they reveal themselves to her whenever emerging from their hidden nooks. I can vividly picture Fiston and his pals gathering around Lieve when she brings her camera. It’s truly remarkable how these creatures seem to have a unique story to share every time she captures a photograph. The special bond that has blossomed over the years between Lieve and her subjects is beautifully portrayed in the narrative, and it’s a tale that deserves to be told.
What makes this bedtime story so exceptional is that it isn’t a work of pure imagination; rather, it reflects the genuine friendships that exist in nature. You can see this bond in the photographs and feel it in the eloquent words that grace the pages. ‘Chipmunk Secrets’ is undoubtedly a must-have for every child’s nightstand. It promises not only a good night’s sleep but also dreams that will inspire a bright and beautiful day ahead.

L G, Librarian

Fiston the Chipmunk narrates this adorable nonfiction picture book sharing facts (secrets) about his chipmunk life. The author has included her outstanding photographs in this book. This story was so good I plan to look for other books by Lieve Snellings.

Melissa Borsey

I absolutely loved this book! Getting to know all about these little guys with the beautifully done photography on every page was so fun and informative! I thank Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read and review this delightful book.

Jessica

Read along while Fiston shares Chipmunk facts with you. This book is packed with facts and would be a perfect reference for any Chipmunk related projects or reports. There are colorful photographs and illustrations that coordinate with the information on every page. And how cute is it that Fiston the chipmunk is the narrator.

Amazon Customer

Great Chipmunk Book
This is a fantastic book packed with chipmunk facts, great illustrations, and photographs. It’s easy to read and provides a plethora of information that make it a perfect reference for any project or report.

Kathy J - Educator

This was a super fun read for myself and my almost 5 year old. It has great, captivating pictures that are super engaging. I loved learning all of the facts and information about the chipmunks. I think this would be a great addition to a pre-school or elementary library or home book collection. It would also be amazing for a science text for elementary students to learn more about chipmunks. Definitely recommend!

J.S. reviewer

This is adorable! Non-fiction for children can be tough, but conveying information through one chipmunk’s narration is a lovely method. The photos are interesting and humorous. I could see a child being captivated by some of the silly photos (like a chipmunk inside a feeder) and the illustration of their burrow with three “snack rooms.”

Farah G

This adorable book features a number of interesting and cute photographs of chipmunks doing their thing, and packs in a lot of Chipmunk-related information along the way.
I was so interested to learn that female Chipmunks are larger than makes, and that they are all so amazingly light. I strongly approve of the number of snack rooms in the home!
Having the “story” told by a Chipmunk narrator was absolute genius. I think it will help to keep the children’s attention fully engaged, because they are basically making a new friend in Fiston.
I also enjoyed the choice of font, and found it easy to read. I think the book will appeal strongly to the target age group.
Finally, I love the fact that the book will give children the opportunity to engage with nature through an animal that they actually have a chance of seeing in their day-to-day lives!

Amazon Costomer

So cute!
This book is just too cute! The author does a great job of making an informational book fun, full of “secrets” about Fiston, the sweetest little chipmunk. The pictures are adorable, and I learned so much about chipmunks right along with my students!

Nadia

“Chipmunk Secrets”” by Lieve Snellings is an enchanting journey into the world of these adorable, cheeky rodents. With delightful storytelling and captivating photographs, the book brings chipmunks to life for young readers. Fiston, the funny little chipmunk, makes learning about these creatures a joyous adventure. Perfect for curious minds.

Wanda Luthman

This book was so educational! I think chipmunks are so cute but I seldom see them in Florida. This book is a great tool to use with children to teach them about chipmunks without being boring or even feel like they are being taught because it’s entertaining also. The real photographs are what set this book above others. The pictures are great and depict what the author is describing.

BORSEYM

I absolutely loved this book! Getting to know all about these little guys with the beautifully done photography on every page was so fun and informative! I thank Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read and review this delightful book.