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Children's Nonfiction Chapter Books

How to High Tea with a Hyena (and Not Get Eaten)

A Polite Predators Book

by (author) Rachel Poliquin

illustrated by Kathryn Durst

Publisher
Tundra
Initial publish date
Feb 2023
Category
Chapter Books, Wolves & Coyotes, General
Recommended Age
6 to 9
Recommended Grade
1 to 4
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780735266605
    Publish Date
    Apr 2022
    List Price
    $16.99
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781774881668
    Publish Date
    Feb 2023
    List Price
    $11.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

The second book in a hilarious illustrated chapter book series starring a savvy and stylish cockroach who guides the reader through an encounter with a charming — and dangerous — predator. Is this hyena drooling for tea and crumpets . . . or for you?!

Celeste is a cockroach, and everyone knows that cockroaches are survivors, so who better to give advice on surviving an encounter with a polite predator? High teas are dainty meals with pretty teacups: you nibble tiny cakes, sip milky tea and chit-chat about not-so-important things like why doughnuts have holes and if fish have eyebrows. But Ruby the hyena is loud, ferocious and tends to slober. High-speed gobbling makes good sense in the wild, but it is a definite no-no in the tearoom! And Ruby just happens to be Queen of a very large clan of hungry hyenas. Will high tea be ruined by uninvited guests? Is Ruby peckish for something other than Celeste's famous cream buns? Using her vast knowledge of hyenas, Celeste comes up with lots of strategies to get through high tea in one piece. Many of her suggestions are dangerous, most are absurd, but all are based on true hyena biology and hunting behavior.

About the authors

Rachel Poliquin écrit surtout sur les animaux. Elle aime particulièrement célébrer les héros inattendus, ceux qui sont bossus, modestes et tranquillement extraordinaires. Elle est l’autrice des séries Superpower Field Guide et Polite Predators, ainsi que de The Strangest Thing in the Sea. Elle vit à Vancouver, en Colombie-Britannique, avec son mari et ses trois enfants.

Rachel Poliquin's profile page

Kathryn Durst grew up in Peterborough, Canada, and has been drawing ever since she could hold a pencil. She has a passion for children's illustration. She works in a variety of styles, using both traditional and digital mediums. Her art has been described as charming, whimsical, expressive, and full of life.

Kathryn attended Sheridan College for the Bachelor of Applied Arts 2D Animation Program. In her third year, she completed her internship at Pixar Animation Studios for storyboarding. She also works as an animator, filmmaker, and puppeteer. Kathryn also loves dancing, sewing, sculpting, playing accordion, cooking, and hanging out with her mini dachshund, Chili Dog. She is based in Toronto.

Kathryn Durst's profile page

Awards

  • Winner, Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award

Editorial Reviews

"This [is] an adorable and funny story . . . but it [is] also a good teaching tool." —Jill's Book Blog
"Humorous and entertaining, and worthy of a place at the table." —School Library Journal
"[A] clever approach to the natural world, convincing in its message that . . . there is always more to learn." —Imaginary Elevators
“Snappy, kid-friendly portions of text supported with generous illustration drive the pace of this book . . . Readers will get caught up in the fun without even realizing how much they are learning.” —CM: Canadian Review of Materials

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