Best Foot Forward

August 12, 2013
In a book first published in Germany in 2007, author/photographer Arndt creates an engrossing guessing game that presents photographs of animal feet against black backgrounds. Readers are challenged to identify each animal (“Whose foot is this?”), with the answer revealed on the following page, along with information about how that animal uses its feet to travel, grip, climb, swim, dig, and more. Four other animal feet appear in smaller images with captions: “This is the back foot of the Australian freshwater crocodile. The webbing helps the crocodile climb up slippery, muddy riverbanks.” Arndt rounds out this fun exploration of animal diversity with a final, more familiar-looking foot—Arndt’s own. Ages 5–8.

September 1, 2013
Through striking photographs of the undersides of animal feet, a wildlife photographer demonstrates how they reflect an animal's size, speed and mode of travel. This single-topic book is appealing in its simplicity. Its organization makes it easy to see the features that make walking, climbing, swimming, digging and jumping possible. A double-page spread shows a single foot against a black background accompanied by the phrase "Whose foot is this?" Turn the page to find the answer and a photo of the animal--tiger, leaf-tailed gecko, mallard duck, giant tortoise and kangaroo--in its natural surroundings. Opposite each animal portrait are four smaller images, including three more examples of feet used to move in the same way. The snapping claw of a lobster introduces the section on "extraordinary feet." In all, Arndt's remarkable close-ups demonstrate similarities and differences among 24 distinctive animal feet, flippers and claws. The author concludes with a photograph of his own foot, connecting these creatures with child readers. A helpful index allows readers to turn back to just the foot they want to see. First published in Germany in 2007, it is the photographer's first children's book in English. A convincing display of animal adaptations from an unusual point of view. (Informational picture book. 3-8)

COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2013

K-Gr 2-Arndt categorizes a variety of land and marine creatures by how their feet enable them to walk, climb, swim, dig, and jump. The photographs are dramatic-each category is introduced by a full-page image of a foot against a stark black backdrop. It emphasizes the individual foot, its uses, features, and beauty. Readers are asked, "Whose foot is this?" The next page is a photograph of that animal in its natural habitat, along with some information about why its feet are unique. The opposite page has up to four photographs of other animals in the same category. The detail and sharp color in these photographs are striking. While this book doesn't give much information about these animals, it does a terrific job of imparting what is unusual or distinctive about them. The idea of grouping animals by activity helps children look at them from a fresh perspective. This will be a popular choice for libraries because of its fascinating facts and artful presentation.-Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2013
Grades 1-3 Climbing, gripping, clinging, swimmingall things animal feet (or flippers or claws) can do. In simple text and close-ups of splayed toes, webbing, and long nails, Arndt introduces a variety of feet, from a kangaroo's jumpers to the thick fur topping off a snow hare's paws. On every other spread, the author presents a photo of a large foot and asks a question: Whose foot is this? The page turn reveals the answer (in one case, it's a lion) and a category, ranging from feet that walk to feet that swim, and so on. Several additional examples are given for each category, illustrated by a small photo and described in one line of text. The category headings at the top of the page are very subtlelet's hope the audience is eagle-eyedbut the invitation to spend some time thinking about an important appendage is certainly worthwhile. Tightly focused photos are the real highlight here, offering up an intimate view of cracks, crevices, and even an octopus' suction cups. One thing's for sure: feetsies sure are funny looking.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)