(Ask Dr. K. Fisher Series)
By Claire Llewellyn
Illustrator Kate Sheppard
2009, Kingfisher, Macmillan Books
Review by Debra Louise Scott
This is a very cute book about weather and climate and how they affect animals written as letters to Dr. Kingfisher from animals around the world. Dr. K (who is in fact a Kingfisher bird) answers the letters with explanations about what is happening and why. (see example below) After a couple similar letters there is a page with more information about seasons, ice and snow, and extreme weather.
The inside flap has a small envelope with a letter from Dr. K. Fisher with his letterhead and address (not a real address) that invites troubled animals to write to him with their questions. The questions in the book are shown as if a postcard or letter and envelope. Some show a postage cancelled stamp with sender’s origin, i.e. “the desert”. The answers are all shown on Dr. K’s letterhead with his signature and talon print. The back of the book has a glossary of some of the more difficult terms used and an index to the things that are explained.
Dr. K. also gives his Top Tips, i.e. “Do have your young in the spring. This is the start of the growing season, and there will be plenty to eat.”
This is probably one of the most ingenious and delightful science books I have seen. The illustrations show the animals caught up in the emotions of their letters giving another level of interest for the child. At the moment, there are six books in the series. It would be enjoyed by any youngster with an inquisitive mind.
Letter example:
Here’s a puzzled duck
Crash landing
Dear Dr. K. Fisher,
I’m a young duck, and something strange has happened. I flew to the lake as usual this morning, but when I tried to land on the water, I skidded on my behind! The surface was rock solid, slippery, and very cold. I went to warn the other ducks, but worryingly, they’ve all disappeared. What’s going on?
Clueless,
In Canada
Dear Clueless,
It sounds like winter is on its way. When the weather turns really cold, water freezes into ice – that’s what has happened to the surface of your lake. It’s difficult for animals to find food during the winter, so some species hibernate until the spring. Ducks do something different: many of them fly away and spend the winter somewhere warmer. This is called migration. It sounds as if your friends have already left, so hurry and catch up with them – they will show you the way.
Happy travels!
Dr. K. Fisher
) 
Word Seeds 