Howler Monkeys

Gr 2–4—Each of these titles introduces readers to the continent and the high-interest animal's territory before covering physical characteristics, unique features and behaviors, diet, reproduction, and young. The final chapter ("Survivors") explains the negative and positive impact of human beings on the animals' habitat. The nine to eleven brief chapters use vocabulary that sometimes misses learning opportunities. Inconsistent use of terms such as "omnivore" and "carnivore" or the use of "bugs" instead of "insects" is a disservice to young readers. "Uncovered" insets share interesting facts, as does the "Wow! I'll Bet You Never Knew" final section. The color photos work well with the text, and captions add information. Richly colored backgrounds provide visual appeal but sometimes cause legibility concerns. The large font, simple sentences, and bright presentation will appeal to casual readers and report writers alike.