Creature Features

Starred review from October 6, 2014
As always, artistry and zoology are intrinsic parts of Jenkins’s and Page’s latest animal-themed collaboration. Tongue-in-cheek questions (“Dear axolotl: Why do you have feathers growing out of your head?”) address the anatomy and physiology of 25 unusual-looking species. In response, the pink salamander explains, “Those aren’t feathers—they’re gills. They let me breathe underwater.” Other subjects include the mole rat (“Have you ever thought about getting braces?”), sun bear, and blobfish (“What on earth happened to you?”). Jenkins’s torn-paper creations emphasize the idea of interspecies dialogue—readers stare face to face with the animals, who happily divulge what makes them special. Ages 4–8.

September 1, 2014
Noses and teeth, horns and beaks, tusks and frills-odd, silly and sometimes scary-looking animal features help them survive. Jenkins and Page have chosen 25 animals from around the world to tell readers how this works. The presentation of these adaptations gives the artist great scope to show off the remarkable images he can create out of cut and torn papers. A single animal head stares out from most pages. The eyes pop, and the curious features are prominent in these striking images, set on solid-colored backgrounds. The informational text is introduced with a question: "Dear hamster: Why are your cheeks so fat?" The voice of the animal answers: "That's not fat-it's my dinner." Feathers can threaten predators or direct sound; feathery appendages on an axolotl are actually gills. A carrion-eating vulture stays clean without feathers on its face. A blobfish out of water is squished by gravity; a puffed-up puffer fish is hard to swallow. The question-and-answer approach draws readers in, offering room for surprise and a child's own theories. The last page shows all 25 creatures (plus an adult human) in silhouette and to scale, noting what each eats. Maps show where on various continents or in which oceans each can be found. From a skilled team, another intriguing invitation to explore the animal world. (bibliography) (Informational picture book. 4-8)

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Starred review from June 1, 2014

Pres-Gr 2-Did you ever wonder why an Egyptian vulture has feathers on his face, or why a frilled lizard has extra skin around his neck? These curiosities are explained in a Q & A-style interview as 25 unique animals offer up their personal insights (for example, "Dear Tapir: Why is your nose crooked?" "My nose isn't always twisted. I bend it when I want to reach some tender leaves or fruit."). Loaded with nuggets of information and layered in humor, this is a winning picture book that is sure to inform as well as entertain. The illustrations are designed in torn- and cut-paper collage and depict each animal with texture and style. Background colors are bold and bright and provide a balanced backdrop to each animal. Back matter includes a chart of each animal's geographical location and diet for additional research.-Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2014
Preschool-G Have aliens invaded Earth? No, it's just another stellar partnership for Jenkins and Page, this time presenting 25 unusual animals. In a question-and-answer format, each animal speaks in the first person to explain the purpose of its bizarre features. When asked, Have you ever thought about getting braces?, the toothy mole rat replies, Not really. I dig tunnels through the earth with my teeth. To What is that weird thing growing on your face?, the star-nosed mole answers, I use the tentacles on my snout to feel my way in the dark. Two show-stopper portraits are the pink-tinted blob fish's smushed head against a brilliant azure background and the toothless horned frog's head with its ginormous mouth. The flat, brightly colored backgrounds make the nuanced cut-paper and collage faces pop. Back matter includes a bibliography and silhouettes of the animals compared to humans, as well as their geographic range and diet. It's a splendid introduction and a memorable read-aloud for young children.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)