Weird and Wild Animal Facts

Gr 2–4—This engaging book provides facts about 14 well-known species, including hippos, kangaroos, vultures, tarantulas, jellyfish, and hummingbirds. Each animal is given a colorful spread with photographs and several factoids. There's a lot of fascinating information here. A hummingbird's heart can beat up to 1,260 times per minute, and they weigh less than a penny. Sand tiger sharks are about three feet long at birth and will generally have about 3,000 teeth, losing and replacing about 1,000 per year. Sloths are related to anteaters and sleep up to 18 hours a day. This book is a fast, enjoyable read, with most of the eye-catching photographs supplied by the author. Those seeking more in-depth information will need to look elsewhere. However, this is a useful supplement to more encyclopedic works and a solid choice for readers looking for a brief taste of the animal kingdom.—Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA