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Room On Top

Illustrated by Laura D'Arcangelo
Published by NorthSouth Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
LIST PRICE $17.95

About The Book

All aboard for a rollicking ride!


Little anteater loves riding on his mama’s back—it’s the very best place to be. But sometimes the little anteater feels lonely. When he asks Badger, Duck, and Hare to join him—the new friends eagerly accept and are happy to have a fresh vantage point from atop mama anteater’s back—How bright! How roomy! How stylish! Soon everyone wants to join in the fun. It seems the little anteater can’t stop making new friends. When Squirrel, Frog and family, Snail, Fox, Woodpecker, Mole, and Dormouse jump on—things start to get wobbly. And here comes a long legged heron. Will they all fit on Mama’s back?

Bruno Hächler’s ticklish tale presents a vivid panorama of the animal kingdom. Laura D’Arcangelo’s humorous illustrations take the animal antics to new heights!

About The Author

Bruno Hächler grew up in the Zürcher Oberland, the hilly region outside of Zurich, Switzerland. He has worked as a typesetter, a newspaper editor, and a music journalist.? In Bruno Hächler’s songs and stories, mischief and poetry go hand in hand. Hächler has written numerous children’s books that have been translated into many different languages. He has also put out a slew of albums of children’s music, many of which have reached the Swiss charts. His album “Langi Ohre” was selected by an all-child jury to receive the Lollipop Award for best children’s album. Today Hächler is a full-time writer of children’s songs and children’s books. He lives in Winterthur, Switzerland.

About The Illustrator

Laura D’Arcangelo was born in Bern, Switzerland, and grew up in Ins, a small village in Seeland that is the birthplace of the painter Albert Anker. In 2017 she completed her studies in illustration fiction at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Hochschule Luzern). Since then she has worked as a freelance illustrator and as an author and illustrator of children’s books. Currently she is completing a master’s program in teaching art so that she can soon start working as an art educator. But what she likes most of all is to take gouache and colored pencils and create little worlds on the page. She has published two previous picture books that have both been nominated for several prizes. www.lauradarcangelo.ch 

Product Details

  • Publisher: NorthSouth Books (October 18, 2022)
  • Length: 32 pages
  • ISBN13: 9780735844865
  • Grades: P - 2
  • Ages: 4 - 8

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Raves and Reviews

"With charmingly anthropomorphized animals in the starring roles, the story treats readers to a fine lesson on habitats...fun"

– School Library Journal

"This is a good one for storytimes or lapsits where it will no doubt be asked to be read over and over."

– Katrina Yurenka, Youth Services Book Review

"This book has the perfect blend of humor, knowledge, and understanding of the world. The entertaining squish and squeeze of all the animals will appeal to young children, as will the story's inevitable conclusion."

– Children's Literature Reviews

"This is an ideal book for young children to identify the animals in the pile of creatures on mama anteater’s back as it gets higher and higher, to anticipate the final collapse and to enjoy the animals tumbling to earth."

– Just Imagine

"A delightful nod to The Mitten, although this time, the place where there' not quite enough room is on top of Mama Anteater's back! Kids will giggle at the growing tower of animal friends, and laugh when they all come crashing down. Each animal is its own unique character and they're all lovingly portrayed. It's great to meet new friends!"

– Tildy, Belmont Books, MA

"This playful story is filled with silly thrills and wonderful artwork, perfect for any story time!"

– Laura G's Kids Book Recommendations, Brazos Bookstore, TX

"Fun illustrations and a fun story line make this a fun-filled book for everyone."

– Midwest Book Review

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More books from this author: Bruno Hächler