A pleasing and informative collection of animal facts—and the scientists responsible for unearthing them.
From meerkats to bettongs, a look at animals all over the world.
There’s no shortage of books that present intriguing wildlife info to encourage a sense of wonder at the natural world. But by including stories about the scientists who study these animals, Barker sets her volume apart, making clear the connection between research and the factoids that engage us. Each section opens with a page that names the scientist and their field of study, highlights a few identifying features of the animal in text circles, and includes a sketch of the animal. Three to six spreads follow describing the creature and the methods the scientist uses to study them. The text is set off with white space and comics in panels with speech balloons full of commentary from the animals. Scientists who study white-tailed deer, roosters, jaguars, humpback whales, and more are included. The amusing, spare illustrations depict animals that are just as interested in the scientists’ research as readers will be. Also covered is a scientist whose studies of the ocean parallel some of the environmental issues mentioned in other sections. The scientists are racially diverse, as are the other people depicted in the illustrations. A concluding spread suggests ways readers can emulate the individuals profiled.
A pleasing and informative collection of animal facts—and the scientists responsible for unearthing them. (glossary) (Graphic nonfiction. 6-10)Pub Date: Nov. 22, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-66590-160-4
Page Count: 200
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2022
An immersive dunk into a vast subject—and on course for shorter attention spans.
In the wake of Everything Awesome About Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Beasts! (2019), Lowery spins out likewise frothy arrays of facts and observations about sharks, whales, giant squid, and smaller but no less extreme (or at least extremely interesting) sea life.
He provides plenty of value-added features, from overviews of oceanic zones and environments to jokes, drawing instructions, and portrait galleries suitable for copying or review. While not one to pass up any opportunity to, for instance, characterize ambergris as “whale vomit perfume” or the clownfish’s protective coating as “snot armor,” he also systematically introduces members of each of the eight orders of sharks, devotes most of a page to the shark’s electroreceptive ampullae of Lorenzini, and even sheds light on the unobvious differences between jellyfish and the Portuguese man-of-war or the reason why the blue octopus is said to have “arms” rather than “tentacles.” He also argues persuasively that sharks have gotten a bad rap (claiming that more people are killed each year by…vending machines) and closes with pleas to be concerned about plastic waste, to get involved in conservation efforts, and (cannily) to get out and explore our planet because (quoting Jacques-Yves Cousteau) “People protect what they love.” Human figures, some with brown skin, pop up occasionally to comment in the saturated color illustrations. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 45% of actual size.)
An immersive dunk into a vast subject—and on course for shorter attention spans. (bibliography, list of organizations) (Nonfiction. 7-10)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-338-35973-2
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Orchard/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: June 29, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2020
A book to own and refer to, often.
A comic-book handbook for young audiences about physical and emotional boundaries.
This small-but-mighty resource cleverly mimics popular early-reader series like Elephant & Piggie or Narwhal and Jelly, with heavy-duty binding and a jaunty cartoon feel. But instead of zany friendships, this text carefully takes children through consent, relationship dynamics, and what to do if you experience, cause, or witness harm. The unnamed characters are clothed stick figures with a variety of hairstyles and skin tones of different shades of gray. Early chapters include “You Rule,” about individual boundaries, and “Giving & Getting Consent,” while later ones focus on community and helping others. Brian skillfully balances kid-friendly scenarios (tickling, the gift of an unsuitable pet) with clear but gentle information about safety: a phone with text messages reading “send pics” and “wanna meet?”; a firm note that if a “picture shows someone under 18 without clothes on, it’s a crime.” The text also acknowledges that not all kids have the power to stand up to the adults in their lives: “It’s great when your family supports your choices. But if they don’t, you have a few options,” such as “reach[ing] out to supportive friends” or “think[ing] about what you’ll do differently as an adult.” The twin emphases on clear and direct communication and that it’s OK to change your mind are important messages effectively delivered.
A book to own and refer to, often. (Graphic nonfiction. 6-10)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-316-45773-6
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Nov. 9, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2019
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