Dave Explores the Outdoors...

Minibeasts (Tots Outdoors)

Children - Animals
27 Pages
Reviewed on 05/29/2020
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Dave lived among the trees and he liked searching for ants, worms, and bees. He wished to find a minibeast but he knew it would be difficult because they were small. He went on searching for them and came across a ladybug, ants, butterfly, spider, worm, and honeybee, and they all explained to him their characteristics and habitat. Dave was inspired and tired after exploring and he knew it was time to go home. Let's all go outdoors and, like Dave, get acquainted with the minibeasts and make our days exciting and stimulating by exploring the joy and beauty that exist in nature.

Dave Explores the Outdoors: Minibeasts by Nicky Gould and Glen Holman is a wonderful story that will encourage readers to be aware of their surroundings and be observant when they are outdoors so that they get to know the minibeasts that live there. The book is educational and informative and introduces readers to the minibeasts outside in an entertaining way. The rhyming verses add to the rhythm and lyricism and give a good pace and movement, making it enjoyable for children. The illustrations are as adorable as the story and they add to the color and charm of the book. It is a good book for parents and tutors to use for read-aloud sessions at home and in classrooms to make children aware of the minibeasts that can be commonly seen in their yards and outdoors. Books like this are good for children as they make learning interactive and interesting.

Sheila O'Reilly

We were kindly gifted the loveliest book by @totsoutdoorsbooks . My little girl was really taken with the story...she’s just slightly obsessed with minibeasts

Gemma Evans

This is such a delightful book. Not only are the illustrations bright and fun the story is told through rhyme which makes reading it such an enjoyable experience. My daughter and I had lots of fun trying to predict which minibeasts Dave had found using rhyming couplets, turning this reading session into a game. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I love the premise behind the book, to encourage children and adults to get outside more. This book definitely encouraged us to get outside and go on our own minibeast exploration. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This book also gives you information about each of the minibeasts Dave finds which would be a perfect teaching tool for all you teachers out there. I would have loved to have used this book with my EYFS and KS1 classes and will definitely recommend this to my colleagues in those year groups. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We loved the Fact File in the back of the book which has prompted our own minibeast fact finding, a great opportunity to promote writing. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Overall I was extremely impressed and enraptured by this book. A book I know we will re-read over and over again, perfect for my reluctant reader with such strong educational links and opportunities to explore, whether by parents or teachers. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And whats more if you purchase the book during lockdown all the proceeds go to the Rainbow Trust, which help families of very poor children.

Sheila O'Reilly

It’s a lovely rhyming story about Dave, who goes looking for bugs and insects. There’s different fun facts about each minibeast and lots of lovely illustrations, and at the back of the book, a really interesting non-fiction section with photos and facts.

Both my girls were so taken with the story that they decided to go on a minibeast hunt around the garden. Perfect for a sunny afternoon!

The book is currently available from @amazon . Link in my bio. Currently proceeds from all sales are being donated to the Rainbow Trust which is absolutely wonderful.

K Abbott

Absolutely loved this book as did my 2 and 6 year olds. The book really gets the children’s attention and it was lovely that at the end my 6 year old was telling me all the fun facts that he’d learnt (not ashamed to admit, many I didn’t know until now).
Dave is extremely loveable and we’re already looking forward to another one in this series.
Strongly recommend.
It also encourages outdoor exploring and looking at surroundings, something that lots of children definitely need more of.
Also in the last page there are actual real pictures of the bugs with extra facts which just added to an already lovely book.
I hope that the author becomes as popular as the likes of Julia Donaldson as we definitely want to see what else she has in store for our bedtime reading.

Jemma Allsopp

Wow what an amazing read for my little boy. Thoroughly enjoyed reading about Dave and his adventures finding minibeasts - he is a loveable character and has inspired my boy who asked for a magnifying glass to go exploring the woods nearby.
Even taught us adults a few things we didn't know.
Definitely look forward to the next book - what will Dave find/see nex

Natalie

What a wonderful book!! My daughter absolutely loved following Dave in his first adventure exploring minibeasts. It is so beautifully written, my daughter was enthralled from start to finish. We can't wait for the next book.

Kerryanne Bingham

What a wonderful book to have. My nieces and nephews absolutely love it.
Would recommend to anyone with young children with inquisitive minds, who like to explore the outdoors.
I love how it rhymes and has wonderful facts about mini beasts.
It’s a perfect book for a bug hunt with your own little mini beasts!
Looking forward to more books from this collection.

Oli

I can't describe how much my daughter LOVES this book! She asks for it every night as a bedtime story (I really like reading it too). We've started going out to the garden looking for minibeasts it's great. She's even started telling me the facts about minibeasts at random times so she's definitely learning! We can't wait for more in the series!

Alisha M Brubaker

This book charmed my socks off! The author, Nicky Gould, has penned a rhythmic tale of educational adventure and intrigue. I’ve read this book to my children several times and I still get a goofy grin on my face as I turn the pages!

In this book, Dave – a friend who lives among the trees – is off on a mission to find minibeasts! What minibeasts will he discover, and what can he learn about them? It is a challenge issued to all who read this and hear its tale. We discover the minibeasts that Dave finds and interacts with and are encouraged to get outside to discover the world around us – to find our own minibeasts!

My absolute favorite aspect of this book is the poetic rhythm. Rhyme in education promotes language development, helps to improve memory and cognitive development, and promotes a love of reading. On top of all of those educational benefits, I’m also loving that facts about the minibeasts are woven into the prose and expanded on after the story is over.

I’m thrilled to have the honor of reviewing the first in this series – a series to help parents get outdoors with activities for their kiddos without breaking the bank. A hunt for creatures, great and small, is a perfect solution to inspire adventure, awaken imaginations, and create long-lasting memories of family bonding. Highly recommend! This book would be wonderful for ages 3 to… how old am I? Order your copy today; you won’t regret it!