Animal Architects

PreS-Gr 1–We live in a construction zone! That’s what Cherrix tells readers in this look at the structures built by 11 different animals. Tiny larvae build the Great Barrier Reef; trapdoor spiders build insect traps to collect meals; male satin bowerbirds build elaborate sculptures out of twigs, called bowers, to attract a mate; ants dig complex tunnels; penguins build nests out of pebbles. All around us, animals are busy building homes, nests, tunnels, mounds, and more. Sasaki’s lush, digital artwork is resplendent, with swift-moving strokes that produce lively movement on the page. Cherrix’s prose is peppered with facts that describe what readers are seeing, while also evoking awe of the complex, often beautiful, structures, and just how talented these architects of the animal world are. Children will enjoy meeting new animals and learning their behaviors. Back matter includes further reading to keep young naturalists intrigued.