The Horn Book Guide

SCIENCE

Jenkins, Steve

The Animal Book: A Collection of the Fastest, Fiercest, Toughest, Cleverest, Shyest--and Most Surprising--Animals on Earth

208 pp. | Houghton | October, 2013 | Trade ISBN 978-0-547-55799-1 $24.99

(1) 4-6 This thoughtful and coherent book begins with a survey of the animal kingdom, then covers "Family," "Senses," "Predators," and "Defenses." A section on "Animal Extremes" provides Guinness Book–type facts kids love, and the concluding section, "The Story of Life," explores evolution. The paper-collage art throughout is taken from Jenkins's many previous books; each image is recontextualized to serve the book's purpose. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014