Paperback | $5.99 | 64 pages | 6 x 9 inches | 9781944020231 | April 23, 2019
Lexile 520L | Fountas & Pinnell N

“Fun-to-read story” —Story Monsters
Mom’s Choice Awards® Gold Recipient

The Nocturnals 8-book Early Reader Collection encourages kids at all reading levels who like adventurous stories featuring unusual animals.

In this adventure-filled Level 3 Early Reader, Dawn the serious fox, Tobin the sweet pangolin, and Bismark the wacky sugar glider are having fun playing checkers. Chandler, a sneaky chinchilla, challenges Tobin to a game. After some strange distractions, the Nocturnals suspect something is not right. Chandler is a competitive player... but could he also be a cheater?

GREAT FOR BEGINNING READERS AGES 6–8
Teaches Life Skills: Good Sportsmanship, Playing Games for Fun, and Forgiveness.
Perfect for kids who like unusual animals and science!

Bonus Book Content: Nocturnals Fun Facts and Animal Glossary
Download complimentary printable activities on our website: Sight Word Games, Makerspace Crafts, Bingo, Common Core Language Arts Educator Guide, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Activities, and More!

Read All 8 of the Nocturnals Grow & Read Adventures, including Level 3 Early Readers The Kooky Kinkajou and The Weeping Wombat. These Beginning Readers introduce Life Skills such as Imagination, Accepting New Ideas, Empathy, and Expressing Feelings and Emotions.

NEW! Get The Nocturnals companion Grow & Read Animal Activity Book to extend the story with animal facts, coloring, drawing games, mazes, puzzles, and more! (Sold separately)

Illustrator: Josie Yee
Color illustrations throughout

Fountas & Pinnell: Guided Reading Level: N 
Lexile Ranking: 520L  • Grade Level Equivalent: 2-3
Interest Level by Grade: Pre-K to 3rd



 

What People Are Saying

“Fans of the series will find colorful illustrations interspersed with text to help young independent readers follow the story…the theme of an honest game will likely resonate with this intended audience.” ​
—School Library Journal

“I appreciated that when the characters (children) see something is wrong amongst their peers, they do not hesitate to address it and correct it. I enjoyed reading the informational pages about the animals especially when I wasn’t familiar with the pangolin.”
—Yolanda Flores, Hunter Library, Las Vegas, NV

“Reading about the friends and their adventures is an entertaining way to learn how to get along with others. Each of these stories has a gentle lesson to learn about friendship, acceptance, or sportsmanship. Who wouldn't be amused by Bismark's dramatic reactions? Dawn is always calm and gentle in her reminders about proper behavior, while Tobin truly just wants everyone to have a good time together.”
—Suzanne Costner, Library Media Specialist and Blogger, Fairview Elementary School and The Fairview Review, TN

“Young readers ages 6-8 will delight in this entertaining animal adventure while learning about the themes of playing games for fun and displaying good sportsmanship…especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library collections.” 
—Midwest Book Review

"I’m a dedicated fan of this series. Tracey Hecht has a way of reaching kids by using adorable animals with distinctive personalities to get to the heart of real-life situations kids find themselves coping with, and how to start discussions about those situations."
— Rosemary Kiladitis, Queens Public Library, NY

"The book sends a gentle message about cheating and the value of playing for fun. The text features some words that will extend vocabulary, the format is very inviting, and the fun facts about the featured animals gives more conversation starters and information to support the new animal names and vocabulary.” 
—Susan Shepherd, Howard Whittemore Memorial Library Naugatuck, CT