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Elin Kelsey
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Wild Ideas: Let Nature Inspire Your Thinking Hardcover – Picture Book, April 14, 2015

by Elin Kelsey (Author), Soyeon Kim (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 106 ratings
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From the creators of You Are Stardust comes a new informational picture book that brings the big ideas of their first book down to earth.

Wild Ideas looks deep into the forests, skies and oceans to explore how animals solve problems. Whether it’s weaving a safe place to rest and reflect, blowing a fine net of bubbles to trap fish, or leaping boldly into a new situation, the animals featured (including the orangutan, humpback whale and gibbon) can teach us a lot about creative problem solving tools and strategies. Like You Are Stardust, this book uses lyrical text grounded in current science alongside wonderfully detailed art to present problems as doorways to creative thinking. Wild Ideas encourages an inquiry-based approach to learning, inviting readers to indulge their sense of wonder and curiosity by observing the natural world, engaging with big ideas and asking questions. An author’s note at the end delves deeper into the research behind the text.

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 6 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Dimensions
    8.4 x 0.5 x 10.3 inches
  5. Publisher
    Owlkids
  6. Publication date
    April 14, 2015
  7. ISBN-10
    9781771470629
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1771470629
  9. See all details
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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—From the creative team behind You Are Stardust (Owlkids, 2012) comes a new picture book encouraging readers to ask questions and observe the answers found in nature. Every creature has problems and ways of discovering solutions to fit a specific need. Using examples from wildlife, the author asks children to learn from the ingenuity of animals and apply their creativity to human problem solving. "Pigeons procrastinate. Bees calculate. Elephants innovate." Much can be learned from careful observation of the world around us—just as some squirrels learn to cross a busy street by watching humans, we can learn from watching other species. Some may be "wild ideas," like the way chimpanzees invent drinking spoons from folded leaves, while others reinforce ideas we might already employ. "Killer whales rely on their mothers' wisdom. Baboons get guidance from their dads." The full-color, full-page illustrations are all dioramas that depict the animals and children interacting. Although many scenes are quite busy and full of detail, the text, sometimes in varying sizes, is clear and easy to read. An author's endnote explains the research involved. VERDICT Although most readers will be drawn to this book because of the animal content, they might pick up some problem-solving skills in the process.—Sara-Jo Lupo Sites, George F. Johnson Memorial Library, Endicott, NY

Review

A Kirkus Best of 2015 Selection

"Speaks directly to young readers in a carefully constructed, elegant, accessible language that transcends the ordinary and demonstrates not even the slightest hint of condescension... This is a work that will be read and examined again and again, with something new to be discovered at every turn. Profound and entirely wonderful."
—Kirkus Reviews - STARRED REVIEW

"The illustrations are three-dimensional dioramas that are sure to spark plenty of creative ideas."
—Ithaca Child

"An imaginative and illuminating catalog of various animals' problem-solving strategies...[a] heartening celebration of our kinship with other beings."
— Brain Pickings

"Each statement supported by scientific fact is woven into the whimsical world of Kim's visuals. This book frees us to be more than we thought we could be."
— Librarian's Quest

"The perfect mixture of science and storytelling that children will love to read and parents and teachers will love to use as a teach tool."
- South Florida Sun Sentinel

"The depth of the images and the surprising facts work together to create a lovely connection between the readers and the natural world."
— The Boston Globe

"Delightful dioramas bring the book's accessible prose to life."
—Science Magazine

"Young kids who like to write stories will be interested in this beautiful book."
— San Francisco Book Review

"Kelsey presents simple, powerful examples in warm, accessible language...beautifully presented and rich in ideas."
- Booklist

"Although most readers will be drawn to this book because of the animal content, they might pick up some problem-solving skills in the process."
— School Library Journal

"A strong voice and an angle that makes it different from other books...a fun book to discuss in science and environmental studies."
—The International Educator

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1771470623
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Owlkids; Illustrated edition (April 14, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781771470629
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1771470629
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 6 years
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.4 x 0.5 x 10.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 106 ratings

About the author

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Elin Kelsey

Elin Kelsey

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Elin Kelsey is a leading international spokesperson for hope and the environment. She is the award-winning author of more than a dozen environment and science-based books for children and adults. Her books have received rave reviews from the Economist, the Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Review and BrainPickings. Her work serves as an antidote to the hopelessness so many people all over the world feel about the state of the environment. Because science is based on problem analysis and the media focuses on tragedy, we rarely hear about conservation successes. Elin's passion for shifting the environmental narrative beyond doom and gloom has garnered her prestigious fellowships at the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society, the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center, Hedgebrook, the Mesa Refuge and Berton House . On World Oceans Day in June 2014, she co-launched an #OceanOptimism hashtag and encouraged others to share their good news stories for the seas. The tag went viral reaching more than 70 million users to date and inspiring a broader Earth Optimism and Conservation Optimism movement.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
106 global ratings
Pigeons procrastinate?
4 Stars
Pigeons procrastinate?
I love Soyeon Kim’s artwork. Her plants are not botanically accurate, but we get the idea; some of her creatures are close to reality, others more like cartoons (as are the children in this book), but it all blends together wonderfully well, and the colors are superb.(For more samples of the artwork, look on Soyeon’s website – many of the pictures from this book and its companion volume, You Are Stardust, can be seen there.)Elin Kelsey’s text is based on a good idea – problems in life are an interesting challenge and are there to be solved: furthermore, we can see some surprising approaches to problem-solving in the animal kingdom. But who is the book for? The publisher thinks six to eight-year-olds. I’m happy to explain to a six-year-old what is meant by ‘Hyenas co-operate to help the hunt’, also ‘Ravens use gestures to offer ideas’ (by the time they are eight they might have got it), but ‘Pigeons procrastinate’, ‘Bees calculate’ and ‘Elephants innovate’?I swear I was 22 before I first encountered the word ‘procrastinate’. (I remember where I was, who said the word and who else was there at the time!) And anyway, is it true that’s what pigeons do?Oh well: read the book to your six, seven or eight-year-old, hope they will love the pictures enough to look at it again from time to time as they grow older, and meanwhile enjoy the artwork and learning some surprising facts about animals yourself.
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Top reviews from the United States

mcmulldp
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing art work
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book has the most beautiful artwork that I have seen in a children’s book in a long time. My two year old daughter loves looking at the animals and little characters as they learn about how animals are smart! Cute, fun read, and amazing art for parents and kids to look at.
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Ashlie M. Newberry
5.0 out of 5 stars Graduation Gift
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2018
Verified Purchase
Loved this as a graduation gift for my kindergartener. I am having each of his teachers sign a page. He is a scientific thinker and the words are very inspiring for growth and encouragement.
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Becca
5.0 out of 5 stars Great childrens book
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2018
Verified Purchase
Such a cute book. My 4 month old loves to stare at the pictures... and I even learned a couple things!
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Megan P Deets
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2016
Verified Purchase
Creative and pretty.
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Mary
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
I loves this author and illustrator, beautiful book.
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MaggieCO
5.0 out of 5 stars what a great way to introduce science
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2015
Verified Purchase
what a great way to introduce science, and how to think of the world around us, to young readers! The images are fun to explore and the language is beautiful. Great conversation starting statements, too!
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Lauren J.
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book. You know you have a good children's ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2017
Verified Purchase
Amazing book. You know you have a good children's book on your hands when the parents enjoy reading them 100 times!
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Mande
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2019
Verified Purchase
I loved the pictures and the story.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Beth
5.0 out of 5 stars Love Elin Kelsey books
Reviewed in Canada on February 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
Have kids or grandkids.....these Elin Kelsey books are so informative and you'll find yourself learning new things yourself!!
Love love her books 💞
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bmi
5.0 out of 5 stars A great success
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2017
Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
When I first got this I was a little surprised by the lack of story and text. I thought this was going to be a bit of a flop from a five year old's perspective.

I was completely wrong. The five year old loves it. Always finds new questions to ask and finds the sometimes adult vocabulary a huge bonus. At that age learning new and different words seems to be a badge of honour for her. Then the using of them to unsuspecting adults who are always suitably impressed.

The illustrations are completely lovely and in today's world anything that leads a child to think for themselves is a good thing if somewhat exhausting for the parents.
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Yannh
5.0 out of 5 stars livre qui fait rêver
Reviewed in France on August 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
livre magnifique avec de chouettes leçons de vie.Ma fille a adoré! ça donne aussi des idées d'ateliers à faire avec les enfants
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Bertha D Jacques
5.0 out of 5 stars school library collection
Reviewed in Canada on October 28, 2019
Verified Purchase
it is nice collection to he school
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Lost John
4.0 out of 5 stars Pigeons procrastinate?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 13, 2017
Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
I love Soyeon Kim’s artwork. Her plants are not botanically accurate, but we get the idea; some of her creatures are close to reality, others more like cartoons (as are the children in this book), but it all blends together wonderfully well, and the colours are superb.

(For the artwork, click ‘Surprise Me’ in Amazon’s Look Inside feature, or look on Soyeon’s website – many of the pictures from this book and its companion volume,  You Are Stardust , can be seen there.)

Elin Kelsey’s text is based on a good idea – problems in life are an interesting challenge and are there to be solved: furthermore, we can see some surprising approaches to problem-solving in the animal kingdom. But who is the book for? The publisher thinks six to eight-year-olds. I’m happy to explain to a six-year-old what is meant by ‘Hyenas co-operate to help the hunt’, also ‘Ravens use gestures to offer ideas’ (by the time they are eight they might have got it), but ‘Pigeons procrastinate’, ‘Bees calculate’ and ‘Elephants innovate’?

I swear I was 22 before I first encountered the word ‘procrastinate’. (I remember where I was, who said the word and who else was there at the time!) And anyway, is it true that’s what pigeons do?

Oh well: read the book to your six, seven or eight-year-old, hope they will love the pictures enough to look at it again from time to time as they grow older, and meanwhile enjoy the artwork and learning some surprising facts about animals yourself.
Customer image
Lost John
4.0 out of 5 stars Pigeons procrastinate?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 13, 2017
I love Soyeon Kim’s artwork. Her plants are not botanically accurate, but we get the idea; some of her creatures are close to reality, others more like cartoons (as are the children in this book), but it all blends together wonderfully well, and the colours are superb.

(For the artwork, click ‘Surprise Me’ in Amazon’s Look Inside feature, or look on Soyeon’s website – many of the pictures from this book and its companion volume, [[ASIN:1926973356 You Are Stardust]], can be seen there.)

Elin Kelsey’s text is based on a good idea – problems in life are an interesting challenge and are there to be solved: furthermore, we can see some surprising approaches to problem-solving in the animal kingdom. But who is the book for? The publisher thinks six to eight-year-olds. I’m happy to explain to a six-year-old what is meant by ‘Hyenas co-operate to help the hunt’, also ‘Ravens use gestures to offer ideas’ (by the time they are eight they might have got it), but ‘Pigeons procrastinate’, ‘Bees calculate’ and ‘Elephants innovate’?

I swear I was 22 before I first encountered the word ‘procrastinate’. (I remember where I was, who said the word and who else was there at the time!) And anyway, is it true that’s what pigeons do?

Oh well: read the book to your six, seven or eight-year-old, hope they will love the pictures enough to look at it again from time to time as they grow older, and meanwhile enjoy the artwork and learning some surprising facts about animals yourself.
Images in this review
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Customer image
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