Books about animals have no trouble finding an audience, and the efforts reviewed below are no exception. All of these titles have consistently amazing photographs that serve to instill an understanding of how important animal life is to our world. For the most part, there aren't any dust-gathering shelf-sitters to be found here.

Preschool-Grade 4

ARONIN, Miriam. Saving Animals from Volcanoes. ISBN 978-1-61772-291-2; ISBN 978-1-61772-328-5. LC 2011014176. MARKOVICS, Joyce. Saving Animals After Earthquakes. ISBN 978-1-61772-289-9; ISBN 978-1-61772-326-1. LC 2011005616. ----. Saving Animals After Floods. ISBN 978-1-61772-292-9; ISBN 978-1-61772-327-8. LC 2011009354. PERSON, Stephen. Saving Animals from Fires. ISBN 978-1-61772-293-6; ISBN 978-1-61772-329-2. LC 2011010199. ----. Saving Animals from Hurricanes. ISBN 978-1-61772-290-5; ISBN 978-1-61772-330-8. LC 2011007783. ----. Saving Animals from Oil Spills. ISBN 978-1-61772-288-2; ISBN 978-1-61772-331-5. LC 2011002430. ea vol: 32p. (Rescuing Animals from Disasters Series). maps. photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Bearport. 2011. PLB $25.27; ebook $18.95. Gr 3-5-After disasters, many animals face certain death unless humans intervene. This series offers true accounts of rescue attempts; some fail, many are successful. Each story is fast-paced and thrilling. The text is in boxes at the tops of the pages, while captioned photos fill the bottoms. The stories can be heart-wrenching; e.g., Earthquakes explains that a panda was crushed to death during a quake and the cover of Floods shows a pig fighting to keep its head above water. Each title ends with one page of famous disasters and rescues and another explaining which animals are at risk from the catastrophes. Important, current introductions for young environmentalists and animal lovers. BOOTHROYD, Jennifer. Feathers. diag. ISBN 978-0-7613-5785-8; ISBN 978-0-7613-7984-3. LC 2010050648. ----. Fur. map. ISBN 978-0-7613-5786-5; ISBN 978-0-7613-7985-0. LC 2010050649. ----. Scales. ISBN 978-0-7613-5787-2; ISBN 978-0-7613-7986-7. LC 2010050650. ----. Shells. ISBN 978-0-7613-5788-9; ISBN 978-0-7613-7987-4. LC 2010050653. ----. Skin. diag. ISBN 978-0-7613-5789-6; ISBN 978-0-7613-7988-1. LC 2010050654. ea vol: 24p. (First Step Nonfiction: Body Coverings Series). photos. glossary. index. CIP. Lerner. 2011. PLB $21.27; ebook $15.95. K-Gr 2-This series dishes out a lot of information in slim volumes, which all have one sentence per page and a single engaging photograph. Facts are abundant and clearly presented. The titles all end with pages that delve deeper into the topic. Fur, for example, ends with a map of "Furry Animals Around the World," while Scales explains how and why snakes shed their skin and Skin shows how human skin is made of three layers. One small quibble: the haphazard indexes are useless. All in all, these are worthy titles. GALLAGHER, Debbie & Brendan Gallagher. Ants. ISBN 978-1-60870-542-9. LC 2010037191. ----. Bees. ISBN 978-1-60870-543-6. LC 2010037192. ----. Butterflies. ISBN 978-1-60870-544-3. LC 2010037193. ----. Flies. ISBN 978-1-60870-545-0. LC 2010037194. ----. Ladybugs. ISBN 978-1-60870-546-7. LC 2010040250. ----. Spiders. ISBN 978-1-60870-547-4. LC 2010037196. ea vol: 32p. (Mighty Minibeasts Series). charts. diags. map. photos. glossary. index. CIP. Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark. 2011. PLB $28.50. Gr 1-3-These short titles contain extensive information. Usual data, such as body parts, varieties within the species, location maps, life cycles, etc., is complemented by less-typical information, such as threats to survival, each subject's place in the environment, and tips for watching the particular minibeast. The type is large and the language is lively. Colorful photographs, charts, and/or maps are found on every page, taking up more space than the text. There's a certain yuck factor in some of the images-a bird with a beak-full of ants, a praying mantis snacking on a butterfly, and a spider eating a fly. Compact introductions, attractively packaged. GOLDSWORTHY, Kaite. Otters. ISBN 978-1-61690-621-4; ISBN 978-1-61690-627-6. LC 2010045190. KOPP, Megan. Black Widow Spiders. ISBN 978-1-61690-622-1; ISBN 978-1-61690-628-3. LC 2010045059. ----. Prairie Dogs. diag. ISBN 978-1-61690-624-5; ISBN 978-1-61690-630-6. LC 2010045180. PRATT, Laura. Mountain Goats. ISBN 978-1-61690-623-8; ISBN 978-1-61690-629-0. LC 2010045192. YASUDA, Anita. Earthworms. ISBN 978-1-61690-619-1; ISBN 978-1-61690-625-2. LC 2010045193. ----. Foxes. ISBN 978-1-61690-620-7; ISBN 978-1-61690-626-9. LC 2010046086. ea vol: 24p. (Backyard Animals Series). map. photos. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Weigl. 2011. PLB $27.13; pap. $12.95. Gr 2-3-With a slick magazine-style look, these slim titles should attract an audience. Each book offers chapters filled with basic information about the featured creature's shelter, body parts, diet, life cycle, etc. Photographs are large, up-close, highly engaging, and, at times, icky, especially for those queasy around spiders or worms. Also included are spreads detailing myths and legends about the individual animals and FAQ pages. Readers are encouraged to log on to a website using the code at the front of each title. There, they will find videos, downloadable activities, quizzes, and so on. This feature is useful for students as well as teachers looking for curriculum ideas. Great for emerging readers, beginning independent study, browsers, and classroom use. GREVE, Tom. Freshwater Fish. ISBN 978-1-61741-777-1; ISBN 978-1-61741-979-9. LC 2011924822. ----. Reptiles. ISBN 978-1-61741-775-7; ISBN 978-1-61741-977-5. LC 2011924820. ----. Saltwater Fish. ISBN 978-1-61741-774-0; ISBN 978-1-61741-976-8. LC 2011924819. ----. Snakes. ISBN 978-1-61741-776-4; ISBN 978-1-61741-978-2. LC 2011924821. MCLEESE, Don. Insects. ISBN 978-1-61741-778-8; ISBN 978-1-61741-980-5. LC 2011924824. ----. Spiders. ISBN 978-1-61741-779-5; ISBN 978-1-61741-981-2. LC 2011924825. ea vol: 24p. (Eye to Eye with Animals Series). diags. maps. photos. glossary. index. Websites. Rourke. 2011. PLB $27.07; pap. $7.95. Gr 2-3-While this group offers a lot of information and loads of up-close, full-color photos, the volumes are uneven in the breadth of their coverage, with some books trying to deliver information on more creatures in the same number of pages in which other titles cover fewer. Insects and spiders, for example, are much broader subjects than snakes or reptiles. With that in mind, facts abound in each. The writing is clear and inviting, and the pictures range from scary to adorable and humorous; e.g., a chameleon that seems to be smiling in Reptiles. There are sections on dangers these fish, insects, arachnids, and reptiles face as well as on conservation methods. Except for saltwater and freshwater fish, there are myriad books on these topics for this age range. Since the subjects tend to be popular, each title is worthy of consideration. JOHNSON, Jinny. Coral Reef Life. ISBN 978-1-59920-502-1. LC 2011012947. ----. Deep Sea Life. ISBN 978-1-59920-503-8. LC 2011000001. ----. Ocean Life. ISBN 978-1-59920-504-5. LC 2011012948. ----. Polar Sea Life. ISBN 978-1-59920-505-2. LC 2010039107. ----. River and Lake Life. ISBN 978-1-59920-506-9. LC 2010045447. ----. Seashore Life. ISBN 978-1-59920-501-4. LC 2010039111. ea vol: 32p. (Watery Worlds Series). map. photos. glossary. index. CIP. Smart Apple Media. 2011. PLB $27.10. Gr 3-5-From the largest whales to the tiniest plankton, these titles cover animals and plants above, below, and beside the world's bodies of water. Straightforward text with good information appears between fact boxes and ovals, and it's a bit of a challenge adjusting to the many different fonts. Full-color photographs add clarity and interest. Bold words are defined in glossaries, and the indexes are thorough. The complete set is stronger than the individual volumes. An acceptable series, especially if the titles are shelved-and used-together. PETERSON, Megan Cooley. Look Inside an Ant Nest. ISBN 978-1-4296-6078-5. LC 2011000266. ----. Look Inside a Beaver's Lodge. ISBN 978-1-4296-6076-1. LC 2011000263. ----. Look Inside a Bee Hive. ISBN 978-1-4296-6075-4. LC 2011000264. ----. Look Inside a Robin's Nest. ISBN 978-1-4296-6077-8. LC 2011000265. ea vol: 24p. (Look Inside Animal Homes Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Capstone/Pebble Plus. 2011. PLB $23.99. K-Gr 1-Two to three sentence per spread in an oversize font face a full-color, full-page photo. With about 200 words each, these brief titles still offer a lot of information. Readers learn how each home is built, what goes on inside, how many creatures live there, etc. The photographs are up-close, large, and clear. Good introductions for early learners. ROZA, Greg. Your Neighbor the Alley Cat. ISBN 978-1-4488-4999-4; ISBN 978-1-4488-5127-0; ISBN 978-1-4488-5388-5. LC 2010052264. ----. Your Neighbor the Coyote. ISBN 978-1-4488-5001-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-5131-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-5390-8. LC 2011004107. ----. Your Neighbor the Mouse. ISBN 978-1-4488-4998-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-5125-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-5387-8. LC 2010049644. ----. Your Neighbor the Pigeon. ISBN 978-1-61533-384-4; ISBN 978-1-4488-5133-1; ISBN 978-1-4488-5391-5. LC 2011001851. ----. Your Neighbor the Raccoon. ISBN 978-1-4488-5000-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-5129-4; ISBN 978-1-4488-5389-2. LC 2010053726. ----. Your Neighbor the Squirrel. ISBN 978-1-61533-383-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-5123-2; ISBN 978-1-4488-5386-1. LC 2010048303. ea vol: 24p. (City Critters Series). photos. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Windmill. 2011. PLB $21.25; pap. $8.25; ebook $21.25. Gr 1-3-Each book starts off with animal facts; e.g., there are more than 230 species of squirrels, raccoons are omnivores, young pigeons are called squabs, coyotes are excellent hunters, alley cats are feral, etc. Then, dangers each species faces in its urban habitat are exposed. Spreads display photographs of the subjects in the world at large and in the neighborhood. Each title ends with an invitation to look for evidence of the featured animal on a neighborhood safari. Photographs are clear and interesting. New words are displayed in bold and defined in glossaries, but some, such as "iridescent," "carrion," and "omnivores," might require adult help with pronunciation. Bold red and yellow side boxes fill out the text with fact snippets, though the strong hues can be visually distracting. Worthy purchases, particularly for neighborhoods in which these creatures can be found. SALZMANN, Mary Elizabeth. Home Sweet Burrow. ISBN 978-1-61-714815-6. LC 2010053037. ----. Home Sweet Cave. ISBN 978-1-61-714816-3. LC 2010053040. ----. Home Sweet Den. ISBN 978-1-61714-817-0. LC 2010053275. ----. Home Sweet Nest. ISBN 978-1-61714-818-7. LC 2010053272. ----. Home Sweet Tree. ISBN 978-1-61714-819-4. LC 2010053050. ----. Home Sweet Web. ISBN 978-1-61714-820-0. LC 2010053271. ea vol: 24p. (Animal Homes Series). photos. glossary. CIP. ABDO/SandCastle. 2011. PLB $21.35. Gr 1-2-This set places boxed text over clear, bright photographs that cover every spread. Each title begins by describing the particular home as well as which animals live there. Then seven different creatures that inhabit the respective places are portrayed. Nest, for example, offers information on four types of birds, two types of insects, and alligators. The writing is strong with a lot of information divulged in short sentences. Many pictures showcase the subjects' most appealing aspects, such as an adorable red fox peaking out of its den and a tree frog staring wide-eyed from its perch. However, in Cave a not-so-endearing vampire bat bares its fangs. Back matter includes quizzes with true-or-false questions that can be answered by reading the texts. Basic information for beginning readers. SAVAGE, Stephen. Focus on Amphibians. ISBN 978-1-4339-5978-3. LC 2010049247. ----. Focus on Birds. ISBN 978-1-4339-5981-3. LC 2010049248. ----. Focus on Fish. ISBN 978-1-4339-5984-4. LC 2010049249. ----. Focus on Insects. ISBN 978-1-4339-5987-5. LC 2010049250. ----. Focus on Mammals. ISBN 978-1-4339-5990-5. LC 2010049252. ----. Focus on Reptiles. ISBN 978-1-4339-5993-6. LC 2010049251. ea vol: 32p. (Animal Watch Series). diags. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Gareth Stevens. 2011. PLB $26.60. Gr 3-4-Introductory materials with gorgeous pictures, but many problems. While the language is clear, the tone is dry. Evidence of weak editing comes up in several places. For example, in Fish, a section is mistakenly titled, "Where do mammals live?" In Insects, the singular greenfly should have been plural, and in Birds, a "How to Keep Warm and Cool" text box lists only examples of how birds stay cool. Sections on keeping each subject as a pet are too brief to be of much use. Each book has a handy scale to compare the creatures' relative sizes. Fantastic photos show a tarsier, a flightless double-wattled cassowary, a close-up of a salamander swallowing a worm, and a rock python feasting on a deer. Unfortunately, the outstanding images can't make up for the sloppy text. SILVERMAN, Buffy. Can You Tell a Bee from a Wasp? ISBN 978-0-7613-6730-7; ISBN 978-0-7613-7994-2. LC 2010052813. ----. Can You Tell a Butterfly from a Moth? ISBN 978-0-7613-6731-4; ISBN 978-0-7613-7995-9. LC 2010050812. ----. Can You Tell a Cheetah from a Leopard? ISBN 978-0-7613-6735-2; ISBN 978-0-7613-7996-6. LC 2010050813. ----. Can You Tell a Dolphin from a Porpoise? ISBN 978-0-7613-6734-5; ISBN 978-0-7613-7997-3. LC 2010052814. ----. Can You Tell a Frog from a Toad? ISBN 978-0-7613-6732-1; ISBN 978-0-7613-7998-0. LC 2011000688. ----. Can You Tell an Alligator from a Crocodile? ISBN 978-0-7613-6733-8; ISBN 978-0-7613-7999-7. LC 2010050655. ea vol: 32p. (Lightning Bolt Books: Animal Look-Alikes Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Lerner. 2011. PLB $25.26; ebook $18.95. Gr 1-3- Concise descriptions of similarities and differences among six pairs of look-alikes. Readers learn that both frogs and toads have bulging eyes, but a toad's skin is rougher and drier than a frog's; dolphins have pointed beaks while porpoises' are smaller and curved; cheetahs and leopards can look identical at first glance; and butterflies are generally more colorful than moths. Differences in food gathering, physique, habitats, etc., are made clear. Colorful photographs abound. A "Who Am I?" quiz and "Fun Facts" page are included in each volume. Audiences will come away with the ability to distinguish these seemingly twinlike twosomes. Fun, eye-opening titles for browsing and classroom research. TRUEIT, Trudi Strain. Birds. ISBN 978-1-60870-242-8; ISBN 978-1-60870-624-2. LC 2010044952. ----. Caterpillars and Butterflies. ISBN 978-1-60870-243-5; ISBN 978-1-60870-625-9. LC 2010010018. ----. Frogs and Toads. ISBN 978-1-60870-245-9; ISBN 978-1-60870-626-6. LC 2010016866. ----. Spiders. ISBN 978-1-60870-249-7; ISBN 978-1-60870-628-0. LC 2010030335. ----. Squirrels. ISBN 978-1-60870-248-0; ISBN 978-1-60870-627-3. LC 2010014800. ea vol: 32p. (Backyard Safari Series). diag. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark. 2011. PLB $28.50; ebook $28.50. Gr 3-5-The first chapter of each book describes the subject and includes a photograph with the creature's body parts labeled. Frogs also shows the stages of the animal's life. The second chapter invites readers to go on "safari." Children are given a complete list of what to wear, what to take, where to go, and what to do. The third chapter contains guides, complete with small, colorful photos, to different members of the species. Final chapters offer terrific project suggestions. For example, Birds explains how to make pinecone feeders, and readers learn how to create a fruit plate to attract butterflies in Caterpillars. Some tasks might require adult help. Each title contains informational side boxes. With clear language, bright photos, and interesting ideas, this series should prove popular. The best of the lot are Bearport's "Rescuing Animals from Disasters," Capstone's "Look Inside Animal Homes," and Windmill's "City Critters." Great sets for youngest readers are Lerner's "First Step Nonfiction: Body Coverings" and ABDO's "Animal Homes." Strong contenders are Weigl's "Backyard Animals" and Marshall Cavendish's "Backyard Safari" and "Mighty Minibeasts" sets. Consider the rest where needed.