Whose Footprint is That? by Darrin Lunde, illustrated by Kelsey Oseid

It's always tricky to find those nonfiction titles that might be a good fit for the Geisel -- and a delight when you find one that is!

In Whose Footprint is That?, Lunde and Oseid cleverly create a book that hits all the right notes for beginning readers.  The book is structured so that each new footprint is accompanied by a question ("Whose footprint is that?" for most, though later images of a snake's slithery track and a fossil play with the question a bit) and a clue: a part of the animal peeking around the book's corner, or perhaps some other item, such as a feather, left behind. There's also a one-sentence hint in the text, explaining how the footprint was made.  Then, the question is answered simply with the name of the animal, plus a very brief sentence or two of description. This formatting choice provides admirable repetition, and I can see young readers enjoying guessing what might have made each footprint, scrutinizing the hints on the page and being pleased when they successfully guess the answer.

As with any nonfiction title, some vocabulary may prove challenging, but motivated readers will power through. Plus, Oseid's illustrations are both beautiful and accurate, providing excellent support for the text. The font size is ample, if not generous, and the text placement is predictable. Sentences are short and straightforward, and the subject matter is perennially interesting.

Wondering if this title is a serious contender? Maybe you should make tracks to your local library or bookstore and check it out!