Natural History Museum Book of Animal Records

Gr 5–8—Carwardine has compiled thousands of fascinating facts brought to life with more than 240 color photographs and 900 animal records from throughout the animal kingdom: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and invertebrates. The strength of the book is that it lists not only the familiar records-the highest, fastest, best sense of smell, or most colorful-but also the more unusual, such as flesh-eating, most plant-consuming, fewest toes, can survive coldest temperatures. Rather than being a comprehensive guide, the book aims to include the traits that are most relevant and interesting for each type of animal, choosing to showcase the diversity of the animal kingdom. Readers will especially enjoy the boxes highlighting top record holders scattered throughout the book and photographs on every page.—Anne Barreca, New York Public Library