Fox: City Safari

Gr 1–3—A raccoon climbing down a fire escape and a traffic-dodging fox are just two of many images that will engage readers in these looks at how and why animals live in cities. Brief two-page chapters cover different aspects of urban wildlife, including food and homes, as well as the advantages and dangers of living near people, in four or five clear sentences. Each page features an excellent half-page photo that depicts the described behaviors effectively. In Rat, for example, the sentence "Black rats are good at climbing" is accompanied by a vivid view of the creature balancing on a fence wire. A binocular icon highlights photos that feature signs that the animals are nearby, such as droppings, footprints, or nests, and a closing page provides tips for spotting the creatures in your own town. Pigeons are certainly easier to find than foxes, but all of the books provide an intriguing entry into the world of urban wildlife.