Pigs Aren't Dirty, Bears Aren't Slow: And Other Truths About Misunderstood Animals

Marie St. Onge-Davidson is president of the Essential English Centre in
Ottawa.

This entertaining and witty book delves into common, weird and wacky
misconceptions about wolves, spiders, pigs, snakes, bears, owls, bats,
sharks, toads, and lions. Did you know that bears are able to run as
fast as a horse, that many bats are vegetarians, and that owls have
perfect daytime vision as well as nighttime vision? These are just a few
of some of the debunking facts Joanna Boutilier presents in her first
book for children.

Boutilier has worked as a researcher, editor, and writer for a
children’s publishing company and is currently teaching English and
creative writing. She edits and publishes a monthly journal of
children’s writing and artwork and is very familiar with the style of
reading material that interests children. Her work as an environmental
activist is not only reflected in her short “introduction” at the
beginning of this delightful book, but remains constant throughout,
reflecting her accurate research and quality in presentation of a
multitude of facts not easily forgotten. The book combines colourful
photos and some wonderful comical illustrations by artist Ben Hodson,
bringing these fascinating facts to vivid life and further dispelling
those often-heard misconceptions about these animals.

Two sections at the back of the book—Further Reading and Name That
Creature—will keep young readers searching for more of the same
entertaining and informative facts about these and other animals. Highly
recommended.