In this post, we feature author Jody Jensen Shaffer, whose previous titles include Prudence the Part-Time Cow, illustrated by Stephanie Laberis, which was selected for inclusion on the Missouri Show Me Award list, among other honors. You can hear her speak about her new picture book, Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal, which has been named a 2024 Outstanding Science Trade Book selection, and try her “invitation to imagine” activity. You’ll also find other resources to explore. Thanks for joining us, and let us know what you think in the comments below!
Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story
- Written by Jody Jensen Shaffer, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
- Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House
- Release date: December 12, 2023
With bouncy rhymes, this nonfiction picture book follows a day in the life of the food chain in a “temperate deciduous forest.” From the sun that shines upon the grass and trees to the animals that provide food for each other, each element in nature has an important place. But what happens when the food escapes? A surprise ending draws this cumulative story to a close, while additional notes fill in more of the scientific facts.
Explore Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story
Listen to Jody Jensen Shaffer talking with TeachingBooks about creating Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story. You can click the player below or experience the recording on TeachingBooks, where you can read along as you listen, and also translate the text to another language.
- Listen to author Jody Jensen Shaffer pronounce her name.
- Sample the e-book of Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story on OverDrive.
- Explore TeachingBooks’ collection of activities and resources for Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story.
Invitation to Imagine
TeachingBooks asks each author or illustrator on our Virtual Book Tour to share a writing prompt, a drawing exercise, or just an interesting question to spark curiosity and creativity. Enjoy the following activity contributed by Jody Jensen Shaffer.
Imagination Activity with Jody Jensen Shaffer
In Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story, I use a cumulative story structure, in which sections of text are repeated each time a new animal is introduced. Write a cumulative story of your own that is NOT about the food chain or an old lady who eats flies. What would your cumulative story be about? Maybe it wouldn’t even include eating! Be creative. Have fun!
Finish This Sentence . . . with Jody Jensen Shaffer
As part of our Virtual Book Tour, TeachingBooks asks authors and illustrators to complete short sentence prompts. Enjoy Jody Jensen Shaffer’s response.
“I hope my book encourages readers to think about…”
I hope my book encourages kids to think about our glorious, life-giving sun, our amazing earth, and all the creatures and plants with new respect. I hope it will inspire them to take care of what we’ve been given and to be good stewards. There’s only one Earth!
Thank you!
To wrap up this Virtual Book Tour, we thank Jody Jensen Shaffer for signing a book for all of us.
More Connections to Jody Jensen Shaffer and Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story
- Discover books like Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story, on TeachingBooks.
- Penguin Random House’s page about Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story, written by Jody Jensen Shaffer, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal.
- Buy Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story, written by Jody Jensen Shaffer, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal.
All text and images are courtesy of Jody Jensen Shaffer, Christopher Silas Neal, and Penguin Random House, and may not be used without expressed written consent.
Love this creative story structure and the beautiful illustrations!
The “invitation to imagine” activity will inspire young readers to think deeply!