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Solitary Animals

Introverts of the Wild

Author Joshua David Stein

Illustrated by Dominique Ramsey

Hardcover

$19.99 US

Penguin Young Readers | Rise x Penguin Workshop

9"W x 11.25"H x 0.47"D | 19 oz | 24 per carton

On sale Mar 08, 2022 | 48 Pages | 9780593384435

Age 3-5 years

Reading Level: Lexile AD470L | Fountas & Pinnell M

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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 readers 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.

JOSHUA DAVID STEIN is a James Beard Award–winning author, journalist, and editor. His previous books include Notes from a Young Black Chef and My America, both with Kwame Onwuachi; Russ & Daughters: 100 Years of Appetizing, with Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper; Dad, What’s for Dinner? with David Nayfeld; and many others. He has also written many children’s books, including Make New Friends, which was named one of the best children’s books of the year for 2025 by The New York Times. His writing has appeared in Esquire, New York, The New York Times, Financial Times, and elsewhere. He lives in Brooklyn. View titles by Joshua David Stein

Dominique Ramsey View titles by Dominique Ramsey

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BEST BOOK OF 2022 -- 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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