This book uses art to stimulate content-area language development and writing skills. From A to Z, the 81 animal patterns in the book combine with 35 different activities to enhance the primary curriculum--each student gets a photocopy of the pattern, paper, scissors, and some materials to decorate the "critter." The book's activities use facts about the animals and information about their habitats. The book can be used to: build content-area vocabulary; help meet grade-level curriculum standards for math, science, and social studies; teach critical, informational writing skills; create art extensions for math, science, and social studies projects; build skills in research, writing, and verbalization; and develop a child's imagination. The book's activities fit with any curriculum and adapt easily to specific grade and ability levels. Also included is a bibliography of children's literature that features the "critters," an index of ways to group the critters, and lists of physical characteristics and habitats of the animals. (NKA)