Reading level: Ages 4-8
Publisher: Orchard (2004)
Language: English
ISBN: 0439548667
Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.2 x 0.4 ins., 32 pgs, hardcover
 GET BUSY, BEAVER!
by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by Janie Bynum

Thelonious isn’t like the other beavers. He’s a little different.While Ma, Pa, and Babs Beaver hurry, hurry, hurry to make their dam bigger, bigger, bigger, Thelonious is busy with a project of his own -- a creation so beautiful that it changes everything. And soon all the beavers in Thelonious’s pond join him, as they take a moment to stop and smell the flowers.
R E V I E W S

From School Library Journal: “The Beavers are busy rebuilding their dam, except for Thelonious, who daydreams and idles the day away. While his family is working harder and harder to keep up with their neighbors, he creates an artistic structure of trees, leaves, and flowers inspired by his observations of the world around him. Through his example, the other beavers learn to slow down and appreciate the creative side of life. Crimi spices her tale with many repeated words, which works well to capture the frenzy of the industrious animals. In contrast, her descriptions of Thelonious's activities use long, flowing sentences to express his temperament.

Bynum’s cartoon watercolors depict colorful landscapes and the characters have amusing and varied facial expressions.”