Amazing Animal Earth

PreS-Gr 2–Lions and tapirs and bilbies, oh my! A young, unnamed girl with pale skin, freckles, and red hair braided into pigtails travels the globe, introducing readers to unique habitats and animals. Divided into sections for each continent, Yap’s rhyming text and Popp’s luscious watercolor illustrations blend harmoniously to introduce the reader to animals both easily identifiable and obscure. The highlighted habitats seamlessly flow from one to the next, sometimes depicting distinct landscapes as though they could exist side by side. This illustration motif may confuse young readers at times; however, the goal is to demonstrate the interconnectedness of all habitats around the world. This basic introduction to animals and habitats would appeal, in read-alike fashion, to fans of the popular PBS Kids show Wild Kratts, and wild animal enthusiasts in general. Preschool and early elementary school teachers will find this to be a perfect addition to a text set on wild animals or habitats. It has potential for a classroom read-aloud if teachers are prepared to share real images of the more obscure animals mentioned throughout the reading. Be ready to follow up with some nonfiction texts about various animals for the more curious readers.