Born in the Wild

Starred review from October 6, 2014
Judge offers an intimate study of the lives of animal babies and their parents, accompanied by her typically tender, naturalistic illustrations. Emphatic phrases like “the baby needs to be caressed and groomed” introduce spreads on these and other topics. Paragraph-long vignettes describe how the animals are cared for and slowly gain independence: “A two-week-old guanaco calf begins to eat a little grass. Over the next few months she will depend less and less on her mother’s milk.” Airy white space keeps the focus on the expressive animals, while endnotes and a glossary provide additional detail about the 26 featured animals. Ages 5–8. Agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt.

Starred review from September 1, 2014
Small humans whose parents read to them will find fellow feeling with the well-cared-for wild babies in these pages. Judge, who has a particular gift for animal portraiture that connects other living things to human understanding, offers a look at 26 species of mammals as infants. These babies have much in common with their human audience: the need to eat, to be protected, to be caressed, to move around, to play, to learn. The words "the baby" precede each examination of how baby mammals begin to grow ("The baby is hungry"; "The baby is part of a family"), creating a memorable, participation-inviting pattern. Judge's soft pencil or charcoal lines capture the proud, wary, protective looks of parents, mostly mothers, and the slightly dazed, open look of the very young. Two marsupials (a kangaroo and a Virginia opossum, looking much like the old woman who lived in a shoe) are included, as are the marine mammals sea otters, hippos and polar bears-but no whales. Text in a comfortably large font against open space conveys just enough, while individual backmatter paragraphs provide more in-depth information about the specific circumstances, habitats and adaptations of each animal. A brief glossary uses the occasional difficult word in its definitions, and the source list is mostly adult-directed, but child-friendly websites are suggested. Warmly friendly and inviting for a wide range of ages. (Informational picture book. 2-8)

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Starred review from July 1, 2014

K-Gr 2-This charming picture book presents more than 20 baby animals and their parents. Each spread begins with a simple statement, such as "The baby needs to move," "The baby needs protection," or "The baby is part of a family," followed by another spread that indicates how different animals accomplish this task (for instance, "The baby is hungry" is paired with descriptions of grizzly cubs nursing and wolf pups consuming meat regurgitated by adult wolves). The simple and clear language will keep readers engaged and their interest piqued. Rendered in pencil and watercolor, the illustrations depict these animals so tenderly that readers may forget that these are wild creatures. Back matter includes a short paragraph about each animal and a compilation of excellent websites that feature some captivating photographs of mammals. This title will surely be popular in the library as a beginning research tool, but some may find it quite appropriate as bedtime reading, too.-Martha Rico, El Paso ISD, TX

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2014
Grades K-3 This attractive large-format book features 26 species of baby mammals and their families. Each of the nine four-page thematic sections opens with a double-page spread featuring a large single illustration and a statement such as, The baby needs to be caressed and groomed. On the second spread of that section, three pictures show a cougar mother licking her cub's head, a chimpanzee mother cuddling her infant, and an elephant mother, aunt, and grandmother reaching out their trunks to touch a newborn calf. A short paragraph comments on the illustration, while four appended pages offer additional information on each species and its young. The writing is informative, and the illustrations are appealing. In addition, many of these beautifully drawn pictures capture the feeling of an animal's form, motion, and presence. A few illustrations lean toward the cartoonish or anthropomorphic, particularly when the animals appear to be smiling, but most of the artwork is excellent. A visually captivating volume on animal families.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)