Wildlife of the World

November 9, 2015
This gorgeous coffee table book of animal life across the planet, including a section on habitats, is a comprehensive gathering of the world's seven continents divided into their main geological environments and highlighting the creatures that occupy them. In Africa, for example, Wilson highlights the Ethiopian Highlands, the Great Rift Valley, and the Serengeti Savannas, to name a few, and provides beautiful images of the magnificent creatures that live there. Brilliant color photos show each of the animals in action: the impala leaps airborne, and giraffes are shown "necking." Accompanying text includes information about each animal's habitat and special characteristics (the crested berrypecker is monogamous), along with stats. Unusual animals, such as the sugar glider of New Guinea, add to the interest and beauty. This book is a perfect reference guide and a delight to page through, compiled with the authority of the Smithsonian and its list of consultants.

Starred review from May 1, 2016

Gr 4 Up-Looking outside one's window can give students an appreciation for nature, and this volume greatly widens the view. Detailed data panels provide a snapshot of the size, diet, status, and habitat of each species. The book begins with information on animal habitats and then shifts the focus to species in more than 40 ecoregions. Vibrant, full-color images illuminate the pages, with each spread including one to four animals. Fascinating facts are presented in larger fonts and add intrigue to the topics; readers will learn that, for instance, every wolf has a unique howl. The maps will enhance geography lessons, with material on places such as Tornado Alley and Shark Bay. Climate charts and graphs reinforce chart reading skills and correlate to mathematics lessons. The last section, "The Animal Kingdom," discusses mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibian, fish, and invertebrates. For each branch, there is a brief overview of anatomy and reproduction and a classification chart.

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from December 1, 2015
Starting with a general overview of 4 animal habitatsforests, grasslands, extreme environments, and aquatic environmentsthis work then provides examples from a selection of habitats for each of the continents. The animals, from aardvarks to African gorillas, are emblematic of each habitat. Many example animals could be called charismatic megafauna, though there are also beautiful insects, amphibians, fish, reptiles, large and small birds, and mammals throughout. Beautifully illustrated with handsome photographs, charts, tables, maps, and graphics, the book tells the story of each selected animal for the 7 continents and 42 terrestrial and aquatic habitats. More species are briefly described in The Animal Kingdom section, near the end of the volume, which provides examples from the 22 orders of mammals, 29 bird orders, 4 reptile orders, and 3 amphibian orders. Fish are not recognized as a group of vertebrates and have 3 main classes. Invertebrates are also classified in 30 phyla rather than a single one. A chart at the beginning of each section indicates the number of species in each order, class, or phylum. The table of contents has a small editing error in pagination for the end material, but this is an important, gorgeous, accessible introduction to hundreds of species and their habitats throughout the world at a very small price, and it belongs in all public and school libraries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)