Teacher resources

Download the Nosy Crow US Discussion Questions Postcard

Reviews

"PreS-K–Just like humans greet one another, so too do animals. From toe-tapping to clicking claws, greetings vary from one creature to the next, but each method of saying hello is important, reinforcing the fact that both animals and humans have a shared enjoyment of being seen. This engaging, rhyming picture book introduces young readers to the many ways in which animals and humans communicate greetings to one another, including examples of whales, birds, and gorillas. The variety of creatures represented is wide, and the movements the animals make are ones young readers can emulate. Though the rhyming and meter are not fully consistent throughout the story, it is nonetheless fun to read aloud because of the ability children have to replicate the greetings described within the text. Onomatopoeia appears ­frequently throughout the narrative, ­enhancing the visual appeal and adding sound to the movements readers might attempt. A diverse set of children look out from the pages, allowing readers to recognize themselves within the book. At the end, back matter goes into more detail about the behaviors of the animals represented throughout the story, increasing the amount of learning possible. ­VERDICT Unique and informational, this interactive picture book is a clever ­addition to ­collections for ­preschoolers." ~ Mary Lanni, School Library Journal

“Check out this cute (but not cutesey) representation of different abilities… The book is all about overcoming reluctance to greet new people.” ~ Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production

"A relatable read-aloud with pizazz.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

"In a primary-grade classroom, the teacher introduces her students to a kid-friendly topic: How do animals greet each other? The answers are as varied as the animals themselves, and some of them seem quite similar to human interactions. Just as a person knocks on a friend’s door before entering, an African mole rat bangs its head against the top of its tunnel to announce its presence to those living nearby. Seaside greeters have their own styles, from a beluga whale, which can click its tongue or shake its fin, to a fiddler crab, which clacks its claws “like castanets” to scare its enemies away and attract its friends as it moves across the sand. Elephants acknowledge each other by waving their ears or entwining their trunks. Perhaps the heartiest greeter is the gorilla, which beats its chest and stomps its feet. Written in rhymed couplets, the text flows well when read aloud, and the closing pages reinforce facts mentioned in the story. A colorfully illustrated book on an unusual yet appealing topic." ~ Carolyn Phelan, Booklist, May 1 2026<

About the Author

Zewlan Moor writes playful books for kids when she’s not reading and playing:
a) boardgames with her kids, and
b) with a robot at work.