The Horn Book Guide

SCIENCE

Cleary, Brian P.

Dolphin, Fox, Hippo, and Ox: What Is a Mammal?

32 pp. | Millbrook | October, 2012 | Library ISBN 978-0-7613-6206-7 $26.60

(4) K-3 Animal Groups Are Categorical series. Illustrated by Martin Goneau. This book gives a light, rhyming overview of the defining features of mammals and examples of different species. Packing scientific facts into frantic verse results in some awkward lines; fortunately, the last spread's bulleted summary provides a short, clear recap. Colorful cartoon illustrations of goofy-looking mammals are busy, but they occasionally sneak in very basic diagrams or labels to aid comprehension.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi