Dear Wandering Wildebeest: And Other Poems from the Water Hole

Gr 2–5—This will be a much-sought-after book for teaching reading and inquiry skills. Each animal (which include the wildebeest, impala, meerkat, black mamba, puff adder, and more) features a poem on the left side of the spread and an informational text box on the right. Latham's knowledge of these creatures enhances both the well-crafted poems and the informational texts, the two working in tandem. In "Dust Bath at Dusk," Latham explains how elephants' "skin/is powdered/in a red-grit shower…" while the text box reads "As this dirt coating on their hides dries, it forms a crusty layer that protects them from damaging sun and irritating insects." There are many interesting facts to be gleaned, such as a step-by-step description of the uses of elephant dung before a dung beetle lays its eggs within it. The book is not only edifying but also funny. For instance, a poem about a symbiotic relationship between the oxpecker and its host begins, "Ticks got you dancing in an ear-flapping way?/Try our Basic Tick Removal Plan Today!" Charming illustrations in dusty colors convey the habitat of the African grasslands while portraying the passing of a day. A strong choice.—Teresa Pfeifer, The Springfield Renaissance School, Springfield, MA