Creature Features: Twenty-Five Animals Tell Us Why They Look the Way They Do

Pres-Gr 2—Did you ever wonder why an Egyptian vulture has feathers on his face, or why a frilled lizard has extra skin around his neck? These curiosities are explained in a Q & A—style interview as 25 unique animals offer up their personal insights (for example, "Dear Tapir: Why is your nose crooked?" "My nose isn't always twisted. I bend it when I want to reach some tender leaves or fruit."). Loaded with nuggets of information and layered in humor, this is a winning picture book that is sure to inform as well as entertain. The illustrations are designed in torn- and cut-paper collage and depict each animal with texture and style. Background colors are bold and bright and provide a balanced backdrop to each animal. Back matter includes a chart of each animal's geographical location and diet for additional research.—Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI