Animals and Me

September 27, 2010
Readers can measure the sorts of things they're good at—swimming, biting, sleeping, etc.—against their animal kingdom counterparts in this lively guide. Numerous photos are set against crisp, colorful backdrops as the book explores skin, movement, various senses ("Some animals, including birds of prey, can see more clearly than we can"), and growth. The brief tidbits, active typography (that lets a tiger "Roar" and
a rabbit "Thump!"), and emphasis on humans along with
animals should hold kids' attention. Ages 5–8.

January 1, 2011

Gr 2-5-Drawing comparisons of skeletons, brains, feet, and heads, and everything in between, this book is about the anatomy of humans, animals, and insects. Facts about what their skins are like, why they live where they live, and the sounds they make are presented in a colorful and though-provoking way to draw readers in. Ostriches run on the bones of their toes; elephants walk on tiptoe because their toes are buried inside their feet. Bats are the only mammals that can fly and hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backward. The full-color photography is fantastic and clearly illustrates each point. Because of the wealth of information presented, this book would be enjoyed by browsers as well as students looking for report topics.-Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA

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