(3) K-3 Photographs by Gerry Ellis. Natumi, a baby African elephant, is brought to a wildlife orphanage with seven other parentless pachyderms and eventually grows into a confident leader for her new family. This story of successful wildlife reintroduction is enhanced by Ellis's dynamic (but unlabeled) photographs of the elephants. Back matter includes additional information about elephants and conservation efforts and a detailed habitat map. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Gerry Ellis. These books introduce basic information about each mammal's physical characteristics, diet, habitat, predators, and interactions with its young and with humans. The text is sometimes vague, as in Deer, in which antler growth and use is described, yet no mention is made of why bucks fight each other to "find out who is stronger." Crisp color photos appear throughout. Glos., ind. Review covers these Early Bird Nature Books titles: Chimpanzees, Cheetahs, and White-Tailed Deer.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Gerry Ellis. Introductory information on gorillas describes their physical characteristics, habitat, family structure, and the dangers they face from humans, although the basic text sometimes oversimplifies or contains small errors. Captioned color photos show mountain gorillas in various activities. Questions at the head of each chapter reinforce comprehension, and a section tells adults how to share the book with children. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Gerry Ellis. Stilted, choppy sentences provide information about these mollusks' locomotion, habitats, eating habits, and enemies. In an unfortunate omission, a chapter devoted to "slug babies" never mentions how adult slugs reproduce. Well-captioned photos of many different kinds of slugs accompany the text. A note to adults is included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Gerry Ellis. Primary readers learn about the behaviors and characteristics of the zebra in a book designed for report writing and classroom use. The information is solid and the photographs are clear, but the presentation is rather dull and the text is somewhat choppy. A habitat map is included, and a note to adults discusses reading with children. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 Carolrhoda Nature Watch series. Photographs by Gerry Ellis. Large color photographs complement lucid texts in these books. 'Cheetah' describes physical characteristics, a cheetah's typical day, hunting, family life, and conservation efforts. 'Hippos' covers physical characteristics, communication, mating, life cycle, daily routine, and the declining numbers of both pygmy and common hippos. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Carolrhoda Nature Watch series. Photographs by Gerry Ellis. Large color photographs complement lucid texts in these books. 'Cheetah' describes physical characteristics, a cheetah's typical day, hunting, family life, and conservation efforts. 'Hippos' covers physical characteristics, communication, mating, life cycle, daily routine, and the declining numbers of both pygmy and common hippos. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.