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Solitary Animals

By: Joshua David Stein
Narrated by: Joshua David Stein
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Publisher's Summary

Celebrate the beauty and strength of solitude with this poetic observation of the animal kingdom and those who move through it on their very own.

That silvery cloud swimming in the sea is actually a school of fish.

That splash and crash is a pod of whales, sounding.

Behold, a fever of stingrays gliding by.

But what do you call a group of octopuses?

A tangle of octopuses? A chandelier of octopuses? A multipus of octopuses?

No, octopuses prefer to be alone.

The octopus is a solitary animal.

This lyrical, nonfiction text honors animals who live in solitude, in contrast to others who live in groups. Against a backdrop of the specific names of various animal tribes (a parade of elephants, a tower of giraffes, a dazzle of zebras), Stein shines a spotlight on those animals who go through life on their own. With nature at his back, Stein invites listeners to draw strength and comfort from the behaviors of fellow animals. Perfect for children who are introverted or tend to be alone, and their parents...as well as all children, who will be encouraged to respect the "natural" choices of their peers.

©2021 Joshua David Stein (P)2021 Listening Library

Critic Reviews

BEST BOOK OF 202—CHILDREN'S BOOK COMMITTEE OF BANK STREET COLLEGE

"An eye-catching affirmation of singular over plural." —Publishers Weekly (STARRED REVIEW)



"Stein introduces four solitary species and contrasts their contented solo lifestyles with social animals in similar habitats." —Horn Book Review (STARRED REVIEW)

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library selected title (2023)
Amazon Best Book (2022)
Texas Topaz Reading List Pick (2023)
Camellia Award Nominee (2022)

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.