CURIOUS FEATURES OF EXTRAORDINARY CREATURES

A look at some of the more peculiar denizens of the animal kingdom.

An introduction welcomes readers to “the wonderful world of curious creatures” and invites youngsters to consider how these unusual traits help the animals survive or track down food. Entries on more than 20 mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, and fish follow. Each spread contains a colorful image of the animal, a brief comic depicting a common behavior, basic info (lifespan, habitat, etc.), and several fun facts. Fogg covers animals readers may recognize (the chameleon, the capybara, the axolotl) as well as potentially unfamiliar ones: the bobbit worm (a spiny predator that hides in the seabed in order to ambush fish), the potoo (a bird that resembles a tree), and the colugo (a mammal that uses flaps of skin known as “patagia” to glide from tree to tree). While the information on display is intriguing, the book’s organization feels a bit haphazard. The introduction doesn’t clarify why these particular animals were chosen; some appear to have been selected for their odd appearances, others for their unusual courtship rituals. Still, the graphic panel storylines are intriguing and vividly illustrated and provide readers with a strong visual understanding of these creatures’ movements, and curious children will learn a lot. The book wraps up with a page inviting readers to go back and spot various animals found throughout, along with info on these creatures.

Fun and informative.