(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kate Garchinsky. This picture-book introduction to the species follows Lutris, a fictional sea otter, as she swims through kelp forests, hunts for shellfish, and teaches her new pup how to survive. Conversational, straightforward text describes how Lutris's natural adaptations allow her to thrive in her habitat. Potentially unfamiliar terms are italicized and defined in an appended glossary. Digital illustrations skillfully capture stormy skies, deep ocean waters, and otters' playful antics. "More About Sea Otters" provides additional information on this endangered species. A reading list is included at book's end.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Meryl Henderson. Pringle's comprehensive treatment of dolphin species and behaviors provides in-depth yet understandable explanations of behaviors such as echolocation, dolphin communication, and the animals' social natures. The illustrations are tightly aligned with the text, portraying active scenes that feature the behaviors described, diagramming dolphin anatomy--inside and out--and presenting multiple species on a page to allow for comparisons. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kate Garchinsky. Otis, a newly weaned bat, takes his first flights to search for food. In preparation, he carefully grooms his wings. During flight, he uses echolocation to find insects. Over the course of one summer, he avoids predators and finds a mate. Scientific details about these concepts are integrated into the narrative and are reflected in shadowy, textured illustrations that capture the movements of the expressive young bat. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kate Garchinsky. A clear and informative narrative follows a female red fox through the year as she hunts, escapes dogs, gives birth, and raises the kits to fend for themselves. Pastel and crayon illustrations evocatively portray the foxes and their habitat. Unfamiliar vocabulary words--omnivore, territory--are italicized in the text and defined in an appended glossary. An afterword provides even more specifics about red foxes.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Meryl Henderson. The prolific Strange and Wonderful team here introduce another ubiquitous and misunderstood creature. Sizes, colors, body and head shapes, and eye configurations help differentiate them, but all spiders have eight legs, produce web silk, and have venom to catch prey. Species of spiders are described in Pringle's lucid text and realistically depicted in Henderson's well-labeled, finely detailed art. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Meryl Henderson. Pringle's informative discussion includes how owls' physical adaptations of size and shape are linked to habitat and food requirements. The well-documented text covers human fascination with these predators--found everywhere except Antarctica--throughout history. The detailed watercolor and pencil illustrations show owls in flight and include close-up views of feathers, bones, and other anatomical features. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Meryl Henderson. Thorough descriptions present scientific information about these mollusks, including impressive facts about their versatile bodies and "smart" behaviors (e.g., shooting a decoy cloud of octopus-shaped ink to fool predators) along with the basics about physiology, reproduction, and habitat. Henderson's illustrations feature a colorful range of octopus species, deftly conveying their amazing beauty, flexibility, and motion. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2015

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joan Paley. Informative, engaging, and immediate-feeling, a third-person narrative follows Bella, a banded woolly bear caterpillar, as she grows, molts, avoids dangers, hibernates, weaves a cocoon, and emerges as an Isabella Tiger Moth. Paley's sunny cut-paper and mixed-media art sets the furry critter in colorful landscapes of wild flowers and crunchy leaves. More information and an anatomical diagram conclude the book. Glos.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Meryl Henderson. Pringle cuts through misconceptions about scorpions with no-nonsense factual information. Scorpion range and habitats, hunting and feeding behaviors, and reproduction are explored. Pringle also provides explanations of scorpion body structures, including the mesmerizing, stinger-tipped tail. Numerous delicate, detailed paintings of scorpions include field guide–like illustrations of single specimens as well as portrayals of the scorpions interacting with other animals. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Meryl Henderson. In a well-organized, accurate, and conversational text, Pringle classifies these diverse amphibians without jargon and explains features common to most, such as jumping ability, excellent eyesight, foot structure, tongue capabilities, and mating and nurturing practices. He concludes with discussion about threats to their survival. Henderson's complementary illustrations feature detailed animals and impressionistic backgrounds.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 An engaging, accessible text combines with archival photographs, period advertising, paintings, and diagrams to present the rise and fall of the ice business during the nineteenth- and early-twentieth centuries. The tools, techniques, competing business practices, and emerging technologies provide a historical backdrop, while sidebars and primary sources supplement this detail-rich, well-documented offering. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Pringle traces scientific developments that led to Darwin's On the Origin of Species as well as subsequent discoveries that have contributed to understanding of species change. Straightforward explanations of such concepts as natural selection, genetic mutations, and speciation are woven through the historical timeline, making even the most complex ideas understandable. Copious illustrations include photographs, diagrams, and Jenkins's wonderfully detailed cut-paper illustrations.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2012

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Meryl Henderson. Pringle, after first distinguishing largely harmless cicadas from destructive locusts, lucidly explains the anatomy, life cycle, and various capabilities of the creatures (both the annual and periodical varieties). The information is interesting and accurate, delivered with an engaging, borderline-affectionate tone. Thoughtful visuals, including detailed, field guide–like watercolor illustrations, enhance the text. Bib.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Meryl Henderson. This book accessibly presents solid scientific information, from a short introductory narrative about baby alligators hatching and cheeping ("erk, erk, erk") to extensive data about crocodilians in general. Pringle offers facts about crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials' similarities and differences in size, behavior, and habitat in an engaging, friendly manner. Henderson's detailed, realistic-looking watercolors complement the text.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Eujin Kim Neilan. Though there's some decent information about the origins of dragon lore and differences in beliefs among cultures, this book will do more to whet appetites than sate them. Pringle's brief synopses of dragon stories, which include Norway's Nidhoggr, Egypt's Apep, and Lambton Castle's Wurm, are dryly presented. Neilan's scratchboard-like acrylic paintings add atmosphere.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Meryl Henderson. There's a fascination with penguins lately; in the midst of this comes Pringle's refreshing, detailed account of penguin species--all of them, not just the one or two that typically come to mind. The clear text helps readers notice the details in Henderson's field guide–like illustrations. The book ends on a warning note about the effects of human-created pollution on penguin populations. Websites.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2007

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright & Ying-Hwa Hu. This thorough and authoritative (although occasionally dry) book attempts to reconstruct the story of York, who, born a slave to the Clark family, accompanied Lewis and Clark's expedition. The dark-hued colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations capture the story's tone, but some pieces look static and unfinished. An author's note includes sources and more information. Ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Meryl Henderson. This book covers how snakes see, smell, reproduce, and kill and consume prey larger than themselves. Realistic watercolors depict snakes in their intriguingly adaptive forms, colors, and shapes. Along with the clear text, the illustrations draw attention to the variety of snake movement: up trees, over hot sand, in water, and even through the air. This is a useful and engaging resource.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Chesworth & Michael Chesworth. Spanning sunrise to sunset, Pringle gives a partly poetic, partly factual account of a coastline environment; illustrations in pale earth tones and rich blues capture the drama of the ever-changing seascape. As the tide retreats, sea birds, mollusks, and beachcomber treasures are revealed. A page of scientific information about what is shown on each double-page spread is appended.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kate Salley Palmer. Accompanied by their father, two children experience their first overnight camping trip. Dad takes Becky and Jesse to Black Bear Lake, where they pitch a tent, build a fire, see some local wildlife, and together enjoy the evening silence on the lakeshore. It's a tame trip illustrated with broad grins and Dad's "bear hug."

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo