THIS IS HOW TO SPOT ANIMALS! by Aline Portman and Laura Watkinson, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Oct. 6, 2026, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 3-7)
Learn how to glimpse wild creatures from none other than a bear in This is How to Spot Animals! by Aline Portman and translated by Laura Watkinson.
Shhh! Don’t move! Bear is spotting animals. One day he hopes to find a rare red-breasted goose. A beautiful animal! And very rare. But today he has no luck. There is nothing to see. Spotting animals is not easy. But he’s good at it and will tell you how it should be done
Dramatic irony ensues as Bear leads readers through a day of wildlife watching. He insists there’s nothing to see, but readers will be delighted as animal after animal appears―a snail, a bird, a fox, even the rare red-breasted goose… —Synopsis provided by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
This is How to Spot Animals! is a charming read reminiscent of Jon Klassen (The Hat Trilogy). Little ones will immediately find the humor in Aline Portman’s deadpan story (translated from Dutch by Laura Watkinson). It’s bright and chuckle-worthy throughout.
Portman makes wonderful use of white space in her pencil, soft-pastels and markers illustrations. Cute characters in muted colors and spreads full of movement are wonderful. I look forward to more of her work.
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