Elem. – South American Animals (Series NF)

Hansen, Grade. South American Animals. Abdo, 2023. $22.95 ea. $137.70 set of 6. 24 p. Grades PreK-2. 

Anaconda. 978-1-098-26181-8.
Llama. 978-1-098-26182-5.
Ocelot. 978-1-098-26183-2.
Poison Dart Frog. 978-1-098-26184-9.
Sloth. 978-1-098-26185-6.
Toucan.  978-1-098-26186-3.

South America contains many unique habitats and is home to a diverse collection of animals, some of which are examined in Abdo’s South American Animals series. Each oversize volume introduces readers to an animal that calls South America home. The volume opens with a brief overview of the South American continent. Then, readers are introduced to an animal. Topics covered include the animal’s habitat, physical characteristics, diet, and reproduction. This reviewer had the opportunity to view the volume on Sloths, which discussed two-toed and three-toed sloths, the slow moving (or at some times, stationary) lifestyle of the sloth, and baby sloths, among other topics. Back matter present in the volume included a page of additional facts, glossary, and link to Abdo’s extension activities and resources online.

THOUGHTS: This series is a nice option for young researchers as well as animal fans. The large, simple text makes the series an excellent non-fiction selection for beginning readers. All readers will appreciate the large, high-quality photos that accompany the text. 

597-599, 636 Animals

Elem. – Amazing Animal Self-Defense (Series NF)

Ruby, Rex. Amazing Animal Self-Defense. Bearport, 2023. $19.95 ea. $119.70 set of 6. 24 p. Grades 1-4. 

Bloody Eyes. 979-8-885-09385-9.
Bubbling Drool. 979-8-885-09386-6.
Deadly Quills. 979-8-885-09387-3.
Eye-Watering Stink. 979-8-885-09388-0.
Gooey Slime. 979-8-885-09390-3.
Oozing Toxins. 979-8-885-09389-7.

The many unique defenses deployed by animals against predators are the subject of the new series Amazing Animals Self-Defense. This reviewer had the opportunity to examine the volume Gooey Slime: Gross Hagfish. Hagfish (also known as slime eels) are sea creatures that live mostly on the bottom of the ocean. Their predators include much larger animals such as sharks and seals. When one of these predators attempts to attack the hagfish, the hagfish shoots a gooey slime at the predator! The slime can clog gills, so many potential predators steer clear of the hagfish. Readers also will learn key information about the animal featured in each volume including habitat, diet, life cycle, and more. Numerous photos, including close up views of the self defense mechanism of the animal, are featured throughout the text. Each volume includes a glossary and a link to find additional resources online.

THOUGHTS: An animal that shoots slime at its predators?!? Say no more – this is certainly a topic that is sure to grab the attention of readers (As will the other self-defense mechanisms featured within the series)! A great choice for research or recreational reading, this series merits consideration for elementary libraries looking to expand their animal offerings. 

590s Animals

Elem./MG – A Curious Collection of Dangerous Creatures

Bayly, Sami. A Curious Collection of Dangerous Creatures. The Experiment, 2021. 978-1-615-19824-5. 125 p. $18.95. Grades 3-8. 

Dangerous…it’s a word that evokes feelings of fear and terror in many individuals. While animals considered or called dangerous can pose some level of threats to humans, they are often misunderstood. Author and illustrator Sami Bayly spotlights some of these creatures and explores how they have adapted to ward off predators with amazing (and yes, dangerous) defense mechanisms. For example, the greater slow loris (a small, tree-dwelling primate native to some countries in Asia), produces toxins in its elbow glands. If you see it licking its armpit/elbow area, watch out! It’s collecting venom that mixes with saliva to create a toxic bite. The geography cone snail lives near coral reefs in the Pacific. From the outside, it looks like a beautiful seashell, but inside lives the world’s most venomous sea snail. One shot of the snail’s venom can kill up to 15 people! These are just two of the 60 creatures profiled in this engaging title. Each entry defines the danger profile for the animal, as well as identifying their habitat, eating habits and conservation status. Particularly noteworthy are Byly’s illustrations. Trained as a natural history illustrator, her detailed watercolor paintings are true works of art and bring the animals to life.
Note: A Curious Collection of Dangerous Creatures was previously published in Australia under the title The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals.

THOUGHTS: This fantastic title will give readers a new appreciation and respect for the ways animals have adapted to survive. Ideal for casual browsers or researchers, readers will find themselves engrossed by the interesting facts presented about each animal and the detailed illustrations. 

591.6 Animals          Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

Elem. – Be a Pet Expert (Series NF)

Barder, Gemma. Be a Pet Expert (series of 6). Crabtree, 2021. 32 p. $20.75 each. $124.50 Set of 6. Grades 3-6.

Be a Cat Expert. 978-0-778-78015-1.
Be A Dog Expert. 978-0-778-78016-8.
Be a Hamster & Guinea Pig Expert. 978-0-778-78017-5.
Be a Horse & Pony Expert. 978-0-778-78018-2.
Be a Rabbit Expert. 978-0-778-78019-9.
Be a Reptile Expert. 978-0-778-78020-5.

These books provide helpful information, facts, and pet care tips for a variety of animals. Many photos, text boxes, and checklists help readers to learn more about the animals and consider them as pets. A flowchart guides readers through yes/no questions to determine what type best suits their personalities. Placing hamsters and guinea pigs in the same book will help readers to differentiate the two. Each book surprises readers with some interesting facts even on ‘well-known’ pets. For instance, no two dogs have the same noseprint; cats cannot taste sweet foods; horses and ponies have the largest eyes of any mammals on land; and rabbits can sleep with their eyes open.

THOUGHTS: These helpful books shed a positive yet truthful light on pets, which will appeal to pet-owners and animal lovers alike.

630s Domesticated Animals, Pets        Melissa Scott, Shenango Area SD

Elem./MG – Animals Back From the Brink (Series NF)

Animals Back From the Brink. Crabtree Publishing, 2020. $14.30 ea. $290.50 set of 14. 32p. Grades 3-6.

Bringing Back the American Alligator. 978-1-549-08040-1.
Bringing Back the Black-Footed Ferret. 978-1-725-44237-5.
Bringing Back the Blue Iguana. 978-1-725-48072-8.
Bringing Back the California Condor. 978-1-725-48073-5.
Bringing Back the Giant Panda. 978-1-549-08041-8.
Bringing Back the Gray Wolf. 978-1-549-08042-5.
Bringing Back the Grizzly Bear. 978-1-549-08043-2.
Bringing Back the Humpback Whale. 978-1-549-08044-9.
Bringing Back the Island Fox. 978-1-725-48074-2.
Bringing Back the Lesser Long-Nosed Bat. 978-1-725-44238-2.
Bringing Back the Mountain Gorilla. 978-1-725-44239-9.
Bringing Back the Snow Leopard. 978-1-725-44240-5.
Bringing Back the Southern White Rhino. 978-1-725-48075-9.
Bringing Back the Whooping Crane. 978-1-549-08045-6.

Readers will discover endangered species around the world. Each book begins with facts about the featured species including its habitat and an introduction to the dangerous factors contributing to extinction. Each book explains the scientific criteria that is used to figure out the levels of threat to each species, the historical and current threat to each species, and the problems environmental groups have had trying to protect them. Each book concludes with an explanation of future protection efforts and what the reader can do to help. The “Learning More” section of each book provides books and websites for the reader to learn more about the specific species featured.

THOUGHTS: A good supplement to an existing collection of  endangered species books and for libraries with patrons interested in this topic.

590 Animals     Jaynie Korzi, South Middleton SD