Endangered and Extinct Birds

April 1, 2014

Gr 2-4-Each title in this colorful series about endangered and extinct species introduces the main characteristics of each animal's group, then presents five examples. A concluding section on what can be done to help the endangered animals gives a general overview plus a list of age-appropriate suggestions, although some are less than inspiring. The titles conclude optimistically with an endangered animal success story. While the treatment is understandably superficial, some statements are misleading, with Amphibians having the most issues. There are plenty of large and vivid spreads, photos, and illustrations that are characteristic of this publisher; however, for many of the examples, there are no images. This series would have made a bigger impact by including more modern examples of extinct animals-after all, even preschoolers know dinosaurs are extinct.

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2014
Grades 1-3 By placing endangered animals alongside their extinct counterparts, the Animals in Danger series conveys to young readers the fragility of nature's creatures. The books do this, of course, in the super-jazzed-up style that is trademark to the Lightning Bolt brandnamely, page after page of bright photos positioned against backgrounds of toy-store patterns and colors. Each title begins with a definition of the relevant species and then offers examples of endangered varieties, often presenting explanations of what has led to their regrettable status. Then the book switches over to extinct animals, illustrating them with photos, re-creations, biologic sketches, and fossils. Birds mentions the extinct dodo, moas, and passenger pigeons, the last of which died in 1914. The mood lightens with the back matter, which includes a What You Can Do page as well as an inspirational story of an animal comeback. Attention-grabbing, educational, and sure to spark an interest in sustainability.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)