(2) PS If Animals Kissed Good Night series. Illustrated by David Walker. On Halloween, Owlet finds that every animal celebrates the scariest time of the year differently. From Hatchling and Papa Crocodile's segmented croc-o'-lantern with the "sneee-eeery smile" to Raccoon's "garbage-fudge squares," each animal's traditions feel unique to its species. Refreshingly, Halloween regulars (such as bats) mingle with animals not often featured (such as an armadillo). As in previous entries in the series, lines of text sometimes curve (like a smiling jack-o'-lantern) or sway (like an eerie breeze), which is appropriate and effective for this particular book's design given the subject matter. Walker's brightly colored critters contrast nicely with the dark and starry night.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Arctic Animals at Risk series. Each of the species featured is under threat from the impacts of human activity, most importantly the cascading effects of climate change. The books describe each species and its habitat, the challenges it now faces, and what its extinction might mean. The books end on a positive note, highlighting efforts to save and protect the animals. Engaging photos and range maps are included. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Arctic Animals at Risk titles: Arctic Foxes, Harp Seals, Musk Oxen, Narwhals, and Polar Bears

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Arctic Animals at Risk series. Each of the species featured is under threat from the impacts of human activity, most importantly the cascading effects of climate change. The books describe each species and its habitat, the challenges it now faces, and what its extinction might mean. The books end on a positive note, highlighting efforts to save and protect the animals. Engaging photos and range maps are included. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Arctic Animals at Risk titles: Arctic Foxes, Harp Seals, Musk Oxen, Narwhals, and Polar Bears

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Arctic Animals at Risk series. Each of the species featured is under threat from the impacts of human activity, most importantly the cascading effects of climate change. The books describe each species and its habitat, the challenges it now faces, and what its extinction might mean. The books end on a positive note, highlighting efforts to save and protect the animals. Engaging photos and range maps are included. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Arctic Animals at Risk titles: Arctic Foxes, Harp Seals, Musk Oxen, Narwhals, and Polar Bears

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Arctic Animals at Risk series. Each of the species featured is under threat from the impacts of human activity, most importantly the cascading effects of climate change. The books describe each species and its habitat, the challenges it now faces, and what its extinction might mean. The books end on a positive note, highlighting efforts to save and protect the animals. Engaging photos and range maps are included. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Arctic Animals at Risk titles: Arctic Foxes, Harp Seals, Musk Oxen, Narwhals, and Polar Bears

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Arctic Animals at Risk series. Each of the species featured is under threat from the impacts of human activity, most importantly the cascading effects of climate change. The books describe each species and its habitat, the challenges it now faces, and what its extinction might mean. The books end on a positive note, highlighting efforts to save and protect the animals. Engaging photos and range maps are included. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Arctic Animals at Risk titles: Arctic Foxes, Harp Seals, Musk Oxen, Narwhals, and Polar Bears

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Arctic Animals at Risk series. The Atlantic puffin population is declining due to climate change, which affects its food sources and habitat. Consideration of this threat organizes the book's chapters; background facts about the species are interwoven with discussions of puffin risks and the effort to protect them. High-quality photographs and a range map are included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and behaviors of peacocks and ostriches are the highlight of these slim volumes. Minimal texts touch on habitat, appearance, diet, and offspring, and each book supplies a folk-story answer to a question about the creature (e.g., "Why are peacocks so colorful? People in Asia told a story about this..."). Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Amazing Animals titles: Peacocks and Ostriches.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and habits of rays are the highlight of this slim volume. Minimal text touches on habitat, appearance, food, and offspring, and supplies a folk-story answer to a question about the creature: "Why do rays' fins look like wings? People in India told a story about this..." Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and habits of the title mammals are the highlight of these slim volumes. Minimal texts touch on habitat, appearance, diet, and offspring, and each supplies a folk-story answer to a question about the creature (e.g., "Why do snow leopards have spotted fur? People in Siberia told a story about this..."). Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Amazing Animals titles: Sloths, Snow Leopards, Armadillos, Foxes, and Manatees.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and habits of the title mammals are the highlight of these slim volumes. Minimal texts touch on habitat, appearance, diet, and offspring, and each supplies a folk-story answer to a question about the creature (e.g., "Why do snow leopards have spotted fur? People in Siberia told a story about this..."). Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Amazing Animals titles: Sloths, Snow Leopards, Armadillos, Foxes, and Manatees.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) PS Baby Animals series. Noted wildlife photographer Eszterhas (Baby Animals Playing) returns to document wild baby animals on the move: some self-propelling (zebras, orcas), others needing help from adults (a lion cub carried in its mother's mouth, a baby otter riding on its mother's belly). Sharp, clear photos feature close-up shots of the animal babies; the brief text functions mainly as captions.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Extreme Animals series. In these informational books, collage master Jenkins introduces early readers to some of the fastest (cheetahs, aardvarks) and smelliest (hoatzin, millipede) creatures. A descriptive paragraph provides information about each animal. The books feature dynamic cut-paper illustrations and sidebars highlighting location, food, size, and speed (in Speediest). The final spread contains a summarizing infographic. Bib., glos. Review covers these titles: Speediest! and Stinkiest!

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 Extreme Animals series. In these informational books, collage master Jenkins introduces early readers to some of the fastest (cheetahs, aardvarks) and smelliest (hoatzin, millipede) creatures. A descriptive paragraph provides information about each animal. The books feature dynamic cut-paper illustrations and sidebars highlighting location, food, size, and speed (in Speediest). The final spread contains a summarizing infographic. Bib., glos. Review covers these titles: Speediest! and Stinkiest!

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 World of Weird Animals series. Illustrated by David DeGrand. This offbeat survey explores several "cute" creatures--from fairy penguins to pom-pom crabs to pangolins--whose endearing features actually help ensure their survival. A spread about each animal features a concise introduction to that creature, a close-up photograph and cartoon illustration, and a sidebar of additional facts. Discussion of "The Science of Cute" and reading comprehension questions conclude this intriguing examination. Glos.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and behaviors of peacocks and ostriches are the highlight of these slim volumes. Minimal texts touch on habitat, appearance, diet, and offspring, and each book supplies a folk-story answer to a question about the creature (e.g., "Why are peacocks so colorful? People in Asia told a story about this..."). Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Amazing Animals titles: Peacocks and Ostriches.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and habits of the title mammals are the highlight of these slim volumes. Minimal texts touch on habitat, appearance, diet, and offspring, and each supplies a folk-story answer to a question about the creature (e.g., "Why do snow leopards have spotted fur? People in Siberia told a story about this..."). Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Amazing Animals titles: Sloths, Snow Leopards, Armadillos, Foxes, and Manatees.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and habits of the title mammals are the highlight of these slim volumes. Minimal texts touch on habitat, appearance, diet, and offspring, and each supplies a folk-story answer to a question about the creature (e.g., "Why do snow leopards have spotted fur? People in Siberia told a story about this..."). Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Amazing Animals titles: Sloths, Snow Leopards, Armadillos, Foxes, and Manatees.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and habits of the title mammals are the highlight of these slim volumes. Minimal texts touch on habitat, appearance, diet, and offspring, and each supplies a folk-story answer to a question about the creature (e.g., "Why do snow leopards have spotted fur? People in Siberia told a story about this..."). Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Amazing Animals titles: Sloths, Snow Leopards, Armadillos, Foxes, and Manatees.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 Seedlings: Farm Animals series. This well-designed emergent-reader series introduces common farm animals with friendly texts and lots of attractive, glossy photos. The information is elementary, but the books are successful introductions to nonfiction conventions. A concluding spread features an anatomically labeled photo of the animal and close-ups of specific features. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Seedlings: Farm Animals titles: Horses, Pigs, Sheep, Chickens, Cows, and Goats.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen