(3) 4-6 Prolific wildlife photographer Eszterhas (My Wild Life) turns her lens on meerkats: “little animals with huge personalities!” Dated diary-like entries catalog her twelve-day experience in the Makgadikgadi Pan in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert observing and interacting with a family of meerkats, including a litter of two-week-old pups. The text is enthusiastic (“I still can’t believe what happened today even as I’m writing about it”), accessible, and informative, and the clear, lively photographs, shared in a scrapbook-like format, bring readers up close and personal with the creatures and their habitat. A brief interview with a meerkat habituator and a naturalist guide (Eszterhas’s guides on the trip) and information about the Indigenous Ju/’hoansi people add further context. A glossary is also appended.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Meet the Wild Things series. Illustrated by John Rocco. A breezy introduction to the species narrated by a pangolin. Information covered includes diet, behaviors, threats, and habitat. Realistic illustrations and engaging questions will draw readers into the book. Detailed back matter provides more information and discusses why the species is endangered.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Meet the Wild Things series. Illustrated by John Rocco. A breezy introduction to the species narrated by a sloth. Information covered includes diet, behaviors, threats, and habitat. Realistic illustrations and engaging questions will draw readers into the book. Detailed back matter provides more information and discusses why the species is endangered.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Cushman combines clear, cartoonlike digital illustrations with a lucid and humorous narrative to introduce young readers to wombats. After outlining features of their genus of marsupials (e.g., the young are called joeys like all marsupials, but unlike others the mother's pouch faces backward), she introduces the three species: the Southern Hairy-Nosed, the Northern Hairy-Nosed, and the Bare-Nosed wombats. As a snake kibitzing throughout the pages states, these names are right "on the nose." The chatty text covers wombats' herbivorous diet, their cube-shaped poop, the fact that their teeth never stop growing, and their burrow homes. Conversational balloons add information with a touch of humor: "Guess what? I'm making BARK for dinner tonight." Appended with basic scientific facts, such as the size and weight of all three species; a glossary; and suggestions (primarily internet) for further inquiry. A visual game asking readers to identify additional Australian animals completes this entertaining and informative volume.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Laurie Keller. Holub and Keller (I Am the Shark!, rev. 7/21) are back with another apex-predator smackdown. Brown Bear boldly asserts that it's "the only bear in this book," a statement quickly challenged by Polar Bear. While Polar Bear has "paws and claws. Fur too," the fact that it lives in a snowy climate seems suspect to temperate-climate-dwelling Brown Bear. How can they both be bears? After they compare physical adaptations, diet, and behaviors, Brown Bear lets Polar Bear stay. "We are the only two bears in this book!" Not so fast! They're joined by six more bears, each one providing a species-specific description of its attributes. American Black Bear is "a great tree-climber, thanks to my strong, short, curved claws." Sloth Bear's claws are "good for ripping into trees and mounds to find insects." Keller's collage illustrations (traditional and digital) match the energy of Holub's good-natured text and make the goofy-looking bears easily distinguishable. When a suspicious eight-armed, tentacled "bear" tries to join the group, the bears unite and draw up a definitive list of "Eight Things That Make a Bear a Bear." A final double-page spread provides more information about each bear (and one octopus...and one not-a-bear koala); a list of related books and websites is appended. Will readers like this book? "Duh. Does a bear poop in the woods?"

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jenni Desmond. Today in the wild expanses of Yellowstone National Park, wolves roam freely. This was not the case for most of the twentieth century, as wolves there were hunted out of existence by 1926. In 1995, through the efforts of scientists (opposed by some ranchers and hunters), fourteen wolves were reintroduced, and they survived to produce today's flourishing population. Barr splits her informative tale into two parts: first, the conservation story of how the wolves were brought from Canada, including details about wolf life cycles throughout the seasons. As the wolf population increased, the packs gradually spread out through the park and established hunting grounds in their territories. Desmond's graceful watercolors of the animals in summer and winter landscapes give a sense of the breadth and diversity of nature in the protected spaces of the American West. In the second half, Barr illustrates the effects of the wolves return on the entire ecosystem (a graphic in the endpapers compactly diagrams this concept of trophic cascade). Barr includes not just the main food chains but the full range of ecological impacts: insects, grasses, trees, even the water levels and paths of rivers change in response. The final pages include profiles of the fourteen original wolves and examples of other human interventions to reintroduce species affected by human activity.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Alex Boersma. During its lifespan, a bowhead whale, "the longest living mammal in the world," experiences both physical growth and environmental change, creating the dual focus of this touching and informative narrative. Readers meet one particular (imagined) bowhead--a female that spends her entire life in the Arctic--throughout four distinct time segments: two hundred years ago, one hundred fifty years ago, fifty years ago, and the present. Each section opens with a soft-hued, double-page illustration depicting the same setting. In this place, the calf begins life in the peaceful ocean, surrounded by snow and ice and abundant wildlife. As the narrative progresses, several navigation ships appear, seemingly harmless, but precursors to nineteenth-century whalers with their deadly harpoons, and later oil rigs and submarines. In the present, the once-quiet Arctic is not only noisy, making whale song communication difficult, but also an area that now includes cruise and cargo ships, oil spills, plastic waste, and abandoned fishing nets. Dramatic watercolor and gouache illustrations, primarily in deep blue, black, and white, depict changes on land and sea: receding ice; fewer walruses and polar bears; factories and settlements replacing igloos. Extensive authors' notes provide scientific information on bowheads; brief descriptions of other Arctic animals depicted in the illustrations; and historical overviews of whaling, the Indigenous people of the region, and the search for the Northwest Passage; and acknowledge the limitations of anthropomorphizing the central subject.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(2) PS Sharing yet another example of the intricacies of animal home construction (see Nesting, rev. 3/20), Cole introduces readers to the masters of the trade: beavers. A practiced storyteller, Cole employs an engaging refrain ("Building, building. That is what beavers do best") to emphasize this theme as he constructs a year in the life of one beaver family. During the last days of winter in a bleak wood--breathtakingly illustrated with fine ink lines, crosshatching, and a faint sky-blue wash--a male and female search for a place to build their lodge. They select a stream with ample willow and maple trees, and, busy as, well, beavers, they begin cutting the trees, sizing the limbs, lugging them into the water, and creating a dam. Readers see time pass, first as wisps of green leaves announce spring; but soon, as a pond forms, this spot of color spreads to the surrounding grass and trees. The beavers construct a lodge, snug enough for three newborn kits and sturdy enough to withstand a strong storm. As the year progresses, they continue building and repairing. A few rust-colored leaves appear; the beavers prepare for winter, retreating to their sheltered snow-covered home. Neighboring wildlife departs, all color disappears, and a hush settles over the now-barren land, bringing this wondrous account full circle. Appended with a brief author's note.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2022

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Eric Rohmann. Showcasing another fascinating animal (Giant Squid, rev. 9/16; Honeybee, rev. 3/20), and with their usual dynamism and immediacy, Fleming and ­Rohmann turn their attention to polar bears, specifically a year in the life of one female and her two cubs. In April the mother emerges from the den in which she's been nursing for four months. Her stored fat has sustained her, her milk providing nourishment for the cubs. But now it's time to eat, and she guides her cubs to Hudson Bay, where she can position herself on the ice to hunt. By June the mother and cubs have grown bigger and stronger, but they "must fatten up now...to survive summer's lean months." An attempt to capture "one last meal" causes the ice to break, and the trio drifts far out into the bay. Their swim back to shore is arduous and dangerous for the cubs (the long passage of time is revealed in a dramatic gatefold); once back on land, they must wait until the bay refreezes, which shortens the feeding calendar. Rohmann's early oil paintings depict the bear as an apex predator, but Fleming's straightforward text makes it clear that this creature faces potentially fatal danger--even the most powerful animal cannot overcome the grave threat of habitat loss. "Too much ice is melting too soon. And too little ice means too little food." Back matter addresses climate change head-on, while a diagram explains how the bear's physiology helps it survive. Ten "cool facts" about polar bears, a list of websites, and a selected bibliography complete this outstanding book.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(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

(2) PS Photographs by April Pulley Sayre & Jeff Sayre. This book describes a day in the life of a Panamanian sloth (in reality, per the acknowledgments, a composite of eight years of expeditions and of two separate species) in a poem of joyful observations of the sloth and many other inhabitants, friendly and fearsome, of the forest canopy. In the midst of all the action rests the title creature--photographed in bright and crisp detail--leisurely drying its fur, scratching its back, chomping on leaves ("a tree is sloth salad"), and surveying the activity of others. The late Sayre's (Being Frog, rev. 1/20; Cityscape, rev. 7/20) rhymes capture the contrasts between the other busy animals and the resting sloth: "Swish, swish! / Howlers hop. / Monkeys shake / the leafy ocean. / Branches rise and fall. / The sloth sways with the motion." The well-designed layout balances stanzas in white spaces alongside, atop, or opposite the impressive images. More detailed information about topics such as sloth behavior, eating and digestion, and survival are found in color panels in the margins of the layouts, as well as in an appended "Sloth Science" spread.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(1) 4-6 "Evolution is a journey, not a destination." The paths and branches of human evolution, from our primate ancestors to Homo sapiens, are thoroughly covered over seven chapters (with titles like "We Get Swelled Heads" and "We Invent ­Barbecue"). The book shows how physical traits, social behaviors, intelligence and empathy, and the ability to teach and talk afforded advantages to various hominid species. Turner (Crow Smarts, rev. 11/16) is a consummate storyteller: her steady pace through millions of years of the human evolutionary line is buoyed by an amused stance, joke-filled footnotes, well-timed shifts into second person, and modern-day analogies attuned to a middle-grade audience. At the same time, she is meticulous in emphasizing the main underlying concepts of evolutionary science: her terms are precise, her representations of scientific knowledge clearly differentiate between hypothesis and established fact, and she confronts misconceptions head on (see especially a powerful statement about the unscientific construct of race: "race is a cultural construct, not a biological reality"). The main text includes numerous diagrams and maps; photographs of landscapes, fossils, artifacts, and modern animals; and artistic interpretations of long-extinct species. It's followed by another fifty pages of notes and resources, timelines, and a glossary.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(3) 4-6 Magnificent Book Of series. Illustrated by Simon Mendez & Val Walerczuk. After a brief introduction, double-page spreads portray thirty-six breeds of horses from the well-known (Thoroughbred) to the relatively obscure (Konik). Along with a large, realistic color portrait of each breed, the spreads contain chatty bullet points detailing the breed's history and a few other facts, usually emphasizing how tough and well-adapted to their environment the horses are; a "Fact file" gives further information on the breed's height, color, character, origin, and use (e.g., driving, riding, hauling, etc.). This browsable volume includes a world map pictorially indicating where each breed originated.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(2) PS Illustrated by Richard Jones. An inviting voice employing the conditional "if you were" guides readers through a book that gives them a glimpse into life as an elephant (here, according to a note in the back matter, the African bush elephant). Readers learn about an elephant's habitat, social networks, diet, self-care (including mud baths), communication (elephants "drum out a warning," sending messages through the very ground, depicted in the illustrations as quilt-like patterns), and more. The text includes pleasing alliteration ("You'd guzzle gallons and gallons"), an ­exuberant tone ("You'd be a fountain spraying rainbows around!"), and satisfying and rhythmic verbs ("You'd slide and you'd roll and throw dirt all over"). Using a palette dominated by an earth-toned ­copper and incorporating subtle ­patterned textures throughout, Jones depicts the elephants in simple, rounded shapes with dots for eyes. Elephants are shown protecting, nurturing, and even soothing one another, images young readers will find comforting. (In one such illustration, observant readers will see two birds hugging atop an elephant's back.) An opening moment of humor is ­delightful: if you were an elephant, you'd "turn the next page with your trunk, not your hand." Either way, readers will want to keep turning the pages of this ­engaging and informative picture book.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Hadley Hooper. On the first page of this moving true story, readers meet tenderhearted couple Lawrence and Françoise, who stand poised to greet them. They live on Thula Thula, a sprawling South African wildlife sanctuary, on which also roam rhinos, zebra, crocodiles, and more. When Lawrence is asked if he wants to adopt a herd of angry elephants, previously hunted, he accepts. The story chronicles in riveting detail the elephants' arrival; their learning curve in adjusting to Thula Thula; their eventual acceptance of life at the preserve; and their special bond with Lawrence. Their connection is such that upon his death the elephants, sensing his absence, head to his home and camp there for three days to be with Françoise. (Have tissues handy.) The story's flawless, gentle pacing illuminates the animals' initial fear and the time, patience, and compassion it takes for attentive Lawrence to earn their trust. He talks to them, sings to them, and even tells them stories--all details sure to delight readers. Hooper fills the pages with saturated, eye-catching teal, copper, and emerald hues. Shades of rich blue and soft rose heighten the story's emotional impact, particularly the loss of Lawrence. An appended note assures readers that the elephants continue to thrive at Thula Thula.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(2) K-3 A scaly orange mammal puts up signage ("Meet the Pangolin") before addressing readers directly: "Hi there! You may not have met someone like me before. I'm a pangolin, and I'm here to tell you all about pangolins." With posters and a pointer, the pangolin begins to share information about itself. A crowd of animals gathers for the poster session but repeatedly interrupts the creature: "Did somebody say penguins?" "Ooooh! I love penguins!" The pangolin's frustration builds until it explodes into a full-page, all-caps outburst. This stuns the crowd for a moment, but then the tension is cut by the arrival of an actual, and very popular, penguin. The obstreperous crew dumps the pangolin to go surfing, but a human child remains, eager to explore the pangolin's fact-filled posters--and giving readers a chance to learn from them, too. Pastel colors and textured gouache paintings pop atop substantial white space. Though there are no citations, the straightforward facts and cheeky dialogue are engaging, well-paced, and presented clearly in either poster-shaped rectangles or speech balloons. Recommended for fans of Maxwell Eaton III's Seriously Funny Facts About Your Favorite Animals series (The Truth About Butterflies, rev. 5/20, and more).

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2021

(3) 4-6 Inside Out series. This intensive look at horse bodies features large, full-color anatomical drawings on each packed page highlighting successive anatomical systems (via die-cuts): muscular, skeletal, nervous, digestive, etc. Bite-sized text blocks and additional photos and drawings explain how horses' anatomy relates to their health and behavior and offer (sometimes loosely connected) topics like "mini whinnies" (miniature horses) or horse body language. Whether it's explaining how tissues in horses' feet act like supplemental hearts pumping blood back up the leg with each step or pointing out that horses are unable to vomit, this immersive, volume feeds enthusiasts' appetites for all things horse.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(2) K-3 Gir Wildlife Sanctuary's first female forest ranger and original "Lion Queen," Rashila Vadher, narrates this compelling introduction to her life's work. The sanctuary is home to more than five hundred Asiatic lions--the only wild population left in the world--and a key part of the Lion Queens' mission is raising awareness about the plight of this endangered species, which faced near-extinction in the early 1900s. Reynolds's effectively organized presentation appropriately centers conservation as well. The rangers' duties include patrolling sections of the forest to track lions (and poachers) and providing medical care when necessary. They also work with neighboring villages to educate inhabitants about lions' importance in the forest ecosystem and the necessity of maintaining the "natural balance of the forest." Weighing human and animal needs is a constant for the Lion Queens: "How can humans and animals both thrive, living near each other and competing for the same resources?" Vadher's passion for her work, respect for the lions, and commitment to education come through in the conversational text and many well-chosen photos (some taken by the author); a welcoming page design helps engage readers in the narrative—which has a lot to offer a wide range of interests. In an author's note, Reynolds talks more about Vadher's experiences and about her own visit to the sanctuary. A bibliography is appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(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