Cheetah

K-Gr 2—Captivating full-color photographs and simple, gentle texts make these books ideal for young audiences. In the first title, a mother cheetah and her cubs are observed from the babies' first blind and helpless days until, at age two, they can safely leave the nest on their own and start their adult lives. In the meantime, the youngsters play, learn to hunt, and are protected by their attentive and patient mother. Gorilla follows a similar format, showing the first days and years of a baby mountain gorilla and the meticulous care given to her by her mother and extended family. For six years, until she is grown and ready to begin her own family, the little gorilla is the center of her mother's attention and the loving affection they share is captured by the sensitive author and photographer. Both books are useful both as a classroom read-alouds and as introductions to the animal kingdom to be browsed and enjoyed.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY