From birds and fish to insects and cephalopods, mammals including humans aren’t the only animals who use tools for work and play. Animals use tools to achieve specific goals such as grooming, defense, communication, and food gathering. Primates are particularly known for their use of tools in hunting, gathering, shelter, and self-defense.
Read the informational picture book for youth, then learn more at the websites:
ORANGUTAN HATS AND OTHER TOOLS ANIMALS USE by Richard Haynes and illustrated by Stephanie Laberis is an informational picture book sharing the many ingenious ways that creatures use tools for a wide range of activities. The book is divided into chapters exploring tools for hygiene, health, defense, gathering food, comfort, and fun. The author concludes with a useful glossary and index. This well-organized work of nonfiction would be useful to teaching about the parts of an informational book. Use this engaging picture book to jumpstart an inquiry-based experience focusing on an animal and its use of tools.
INCREDIBLE TOOL USE IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM is an online article from the BBC that includes text, images, and video sharing the many ways animals use tools.
To read the article, go to https://bbc.in/3uEsYYq.
THE ANIMAL’S TOOL BOX from the Davidson Institute of Science Education is an online article that defines tool and provides many examples of tool use among animals around the world. Many video examples are embedded.
To read the article, go to https://bit.ly/3fVqyiZ.
ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.
