Book Bundles: That's Gross

(3) 4-6 The table of contents gives readers a taste (ew) of what's in store: poop, mucus, spit, gas, and more. Eamer goes beyond the gross hook, however, explaining in an introduction, "Many of these animals actually survive on revolting substances and thrive on gross habits." A lively and accessible page design includes close-up photos, text boxes, and design elements to up the ick-factor. Eamer's detailed text strikes the right balance between intriguingly disgusting facts (hagfish produce slime "by the bucketful in less than a second") and solid information (scientists are looking at using "hagfish slime as a natural replacement for petroleum-based fibers"). "Some gross extras," a glossary, selected sources, and an index conclude this well-organized offering.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jacob Souva. "Don't read any further unless you're ready for the real story." After plenty of warnings, a Monarch butterfly flits across this book's pages, sharing "gross" butterfly attributes and habits. Readers will probably find some information entertainingly unsavory: e.g., the "Giant Swallowtail caterpillar looks like bird poop," and Red-banded Hairstreaks "have butts that look like heads." Other facts aren't gross, just lesser known: the Alcon Blue butterfly impersonates an ant; "butterflies taste with their feet." The cheerily stylish illustrations give the insects lots of personality and are a good match for the breezy text. Seven butterfly species are profiled at book's end.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Murphy introduces young readers to eleven animals with unusual physical attributes, focusing on how the species' appearance helps it survive. Each double-page spread features a striking full-bleed photo and a caption-like sentence: "Bright red lips can help you to stand out from the crowd!" The animal's name and a few salient details appear in a text box: the red‑lipped batfish's "remarkable mouth may help" the creature alert potential mates, "Hey look! I'm over here!" This is an engaging glimpse at some lesser-known species, including the thorn bug, aye-aye, thorny devil, shoebill, and saiga antelope. More information about the animals (including scientific name, geographic distribution, habitat, diet, life span, size, and a "fun fact") are appended, as are lists of recommended books and websites.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by David Creighton-Pester. Rish pits ten animals and their hard-working behinds against one another in a battle to be "crown[ed] the ultimate King of Keisters." Readers are encouraged to rate the butts on a scale of "Terrific Tushie" to "Boring Backside" and decide which rear rules. A chart introduces each animal, listing genus, length, weight, where the species lives, and "posterior power." Silly cartoon illustrations and a punny text convey a butt load of information about unusual behaviors (herring "communicate through farts") and anatomies (a Sonoran coralsnake's butt looks like its head, which tricks predators). A "Butt Bonus" feature with each entry adds related material. A glossary is appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn