Highlighted this month are must-have titles ranging in subject from animals and inventors to poetry and essays. Braun, Maria. Muybridge and the Riddle of Locomotion. (Firefly; Gr 3-6). In the 1870s the British photographer Eadweard Muybridge was commissioned by Leland Standford, a California racehorse breeder, to take photos of one of his horses. Standford was particularly interested to know if at any moment during a race all four legs of the horse were off the ground (a bet was involved). Since high-speed photography had yet to be invented, Muybridge set up a series of cameras to snap images a tenth of a second apart. These photos and similar efforts that followed allowed people to study animal and human locomotion and led to experimentation with high-speed photography, and later, film. Throughout the slim book are black-and-white reproductions of Muybridge’s sequential photos, as well as four lenticular images (that operate like animations). Muybridge had a long career and took thousands of pictures; this book offers presents a sliver of his oeuvre and a moment in the history of photography, but it’s an important sliver and an important moment. Downer, Ann.  Wild Animal Neighbors: Sharing Our Urban World. (Twenty-First Century Books; Gr 4-9). Wildlife sightings in populated areas are becoming much more frequent according to the author who reports on several that have made headline news in recent years, including a coyote in Chicago, a mountain lion in Santa Monica, a gator in Houston, and crows in Tokyo. Why these creatures are seeking homes in our “asphalt jungles,” and what scientists and wildlife corridor technicians around the world are doing to ensure that they have places to live, are explored in this fascinating, fact-filled title profusely illustrated with clear, color photos. Hopkins, Lee Bennett. All the World's a Stage. (Creative Editions, Gr 4 Up). illus. by Guy Billout. Referencing William Shakespeare's "Seven Ages of Man" monologue from As You Like It, Hopkins offers three poems for each age, presented here as "Entrances," "Childhood," "Love," "War," "Adulthood," "Aged," and "Exits." Students will note many familiar names among the poets and perspectives featured, including Ralph Fletcher, Paul Janeczko, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Walt Whitman, and Lewis Carroll. Each age is introduced with a double-page image of stage-like setting and each spread includes at least one other stark, surreal image in pen and ink, colored digitally. Have your students compile their own anthology of poems on an "age," or another topic, using this as a mentor text. The book would also be a great adjunct to a study of Shakespeare. King, Jr., Martin Luther. A Time to Break Silence: The Essential Works of Martin Luther King, Jr. for Students. (Beacon Press; Gr 7 Up). When it comes to Dr. King’s writings, most of us focus on his “I Have a Dream” speech or “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” This anthology may have you rethinking your curriculum. The book’s 14-page introduction by Walter Dean Myers speaks to that author’s experiences confronting racism as a young soldier training in the South, and the Civil Rights movement that gained momentum in the late 1950s and 1960s, with King at its helm. The selections each include an introductory paragraph that provides context and closing “Reflection Questions.” The essays, which were chosen by teachers, include the above mentioned works and 16 others. Don’t miss “What Is Your Life’s Blueprint?,” a speech King delivered to a group of middle school students six months before his death. It’s as relevant today as it was 45 years ago. A teacher’s guide to the book and a companion curriculum are available at www.thekinglegacy.org/teachers. Mizielińska Aleksandra and Daniel Mizieliński.Maps. (Big Picture Press/Candlewick; Gr 2-5). A delightful, oversize volume full of eye-catching double-page mixed media maps. The book opens to a visual "Contents" spread indicating page numbers for the selected regions and countries that are highlighted. A map of each continent is presented, followed by others that represent a number of countries, both small and large, within that area. The carefully detailed and lavishly illustrated maps include a few cities and important sites, structures, and geographical landmarks, along with drawings of the peoples, animals, and the flora of the location. Snippets of cultural notes accompany the art, dances, traditional costumes, favorite sports, festivals, foods, transport, and important individuals depicted, which overflow onto adjacent territories or bodies of water. This is a stunning book, offering browsers hours of enjoyment, and a must-purchase. It's bound to provide geographical lessons and heighten cultural awareness. Munro, Roxie. Slithery Snakes. (Amazon; Gr 2-5). illus. by the author. Munro introduces a variety of creatures through a question-and-answer format, challenging kids to guess "what kind of snake is this?" From the Coast Garter Snake (the only snake found in Alaska) to the Reticulated Python (one of the world's longest snakes), the author provides information on 10 creatures sure to intrigue kids. Habits and habitats, size, numbers, Latin names, and a few additional facts are provided about each animal. A page of "Fun Snake Facts" and a glossary are also included. The large, double-page, colorful illustrations rendered in ink, are sure to fascinate.