(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jacqui Lee. In this simple, cheery introduction to biology, Josephine describes her place in the natural world--as a human, a mammal, an animal, and a living thing. Two helpful appended pages list characteristics of these four groups, and the final page reminds readers they are each unique. Bright illustrations invite participation: e.g., "How many different kinds of mammals can you find on this page?"

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) 4-6 Prehistoric Field Guides series. Illustrated by Peter Minister. The evolution of animal life on Earth, from formation to the rise of mammals, is profiled across the four books. Hosted by a smiley tetrapod, each packed two-page spread features facts and descriptions of several species and their remains, their environments, and major geological and evolutionary events. Computer-generated images of the various creatures include many with anthropomorphized features. Ind. Review covers these Prehistoric Field Guides titles: The Dawn of Planet Earth, Dinosaurs Rule, The Last Days of the Dinosaurs, and The Rise of Mammals.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. Illustrated by Franco Tempesta. This insightful early reader focuses on mammals that survived and thrived after the extinction of dinosaurs. Kid-friendly spreads include information on physical attributes and behavior and introduce readers to fascinating mammals such as the enormous Indricotherium. Colorful art, simple sentences, and funny jokes make this perfect for dinosaur-loving kids. Fun facts and a quiz encourage memory recall and further thinking. Glos.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) K-3 Awesome Ancient Animals series. Facts about animal life from the Paleozoic Era to the Ice Age are presented in appealing field guide–like formats. Each two-page spread contains a paragraph of descriptive information and specifications for selected genera; captioned photographs of fossil remains or models and colorful illustrations that situate the animals--often in fierce or combative poses--in their habitats bolster appeal. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Awesome Ancient Animals titles: Dinosaurs Dominate, Huge Hunters Roam the Earth, Reptiles Rule, Saber Tooths Are the Big Cats, Sea Creatures Crawl on Land, and T. rex Is King.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(3) K-3 Kingfisher Readers series. "Fur or feathers help an animal stay warm"; mammals groom their fur and birds preen their feathers; a male peacock's tail feathers and a male lion's mane both attract mates. By comparing the similarities and differences between feathers and fur, this nicely organized early reader explores mammals and birds. Direct text and engaging color photos are well suited to new readers. Glos.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Libros rayo--conce los grupos de animals series. Readers are introduced to a wide variety of animals in these playfully designed Spanish-language books. The accessible texts discuss unique characteristics of different species in each group, along with ways certain creatures have adapted to survive. Close-up captioned photographs point out unique characteristics of individual animals. These are great resources for Spanish-language learners. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Libros rayo--conce los grupos de animals titles: ¿Sabes algo sobre anfibios?, ¿Sabes algo sobre reptiles?, ¿Sabes algo sobre aves?, ¿Sabes algo sobre insectos?, ¿Sabes algo sobre peces?, and ¿Sabes algo sobre mamíferos?.

Reviewer: Belinda Arrendondo

(3) YA Facts at Your Fingertips: Endangered Animals series. Each volume begins with background information about the title animal group, including consideration of the specific dangers faced by that type of animal. Profiles of various endangered species (classified by threat level) follow on double-page spreads with solid factual information (in very small type), accompanied by a field guide–like data summary, color photographs, illustrations, and habitat maps. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Facts at Your Fingertips: Endangered Animals titles: Birds, Fish, Invertebrates, Mammals of the Northern Hemisphere, Mammals of the Southern Hemisphere, and Reptiles and Amphibians.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Facts at Your Fingertips: Endangered Animals series. Each volume begins with background information about the title animal group, including consideration of the specific dangers faced by that type of animal. Profiles of various endangered species (classified by threat level) follow on double-page spreads with solid factual information (in very small type), accompanied by a field guide–like data summary, color photographs, illustrations, and habitat maps. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Facts at Your Fingertips: Endangered Animals titles: Birds, Fish, Invertebrates, Mammals of the Northern Hemisphere, Mammals of the Southern Hemisphere, and Reptiles and Amphibians.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Beginning Pet Care with American Humane series. This series covers the basics: animal history, rescue options, daily care, challenges, and relevant responsibilities. The combination of pet-owner true stories, useful facts, and how-to advice will aid youngsters caring for animals; information is somewhat broad, establishing these books as supplementary resources. The many photographs are colorful and relevant. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Beginning Pet Care with American Humane titles: Learning to Care for a Bird, Learning to Care for a Cat, Learning to Care for a Dog, Learning to Care for a Horse, Learning to Care for Fish, Learning to Care for Reptiles and Amphibians, and Learning to Care for Small Mammals.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(4) 4-6 Extreme Cuisine series. The gross factor may keep strong-stomached readers paging through descriptions of Thai fried bats, Mexican mealworm pasta, and other culinary "delights." Close-up photos of live ingredients and completed dishes add an extra ick factor. Readers beware: there are real dangers to consuming some of these things if prepared incorrectly. The host of TV's Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern is series consultant. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Extreme Cuisine titles: Baby Bug Dishes, Bug-a-licious, Mammal Menu, Spider-tizers and Other Creepy Treats, Shocking Seafood, and Slithery, Slimy, Scaly Treats.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Prehistoric Earth series. These volumes provide comprehensive coverage of prehistoric life from the Cretaceous Period through recent ancient history (145 million to 200,000 years ago). Each volume integrates current understandings from evolutionary biology, earth science, archaeology, and paleontology in detailed discussions of the dominant animals that lived during the title era. Illustrations, diagrams, and sidebars enhance the already well-organized main texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Prehistoric Earth titles: The Age of Mammals, Early Humans, Last of the Dinosaurs, Primates and Human Ancestors, and The Rise of Mammals.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Prehistoric Earth series. These volumes provide comprehensive coverage of prehistoric life from the Cretaceous Period through recent ancient history (145 million to 200,000 years ago). Each volume integrates current understandings from evolutionary biology, earth science, archaeology, and paleontology in detailed discussions of the dominant animals that lived during the title era. Illustrations, diagrams, and sidebars enhance the already well-organized main texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Prehistoric Earth titles: The Age of Mammals, Early Humans, Last of the Dinosaurs, Primates and Human Ancestors, and The Rise of Mammals.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Top Pets for Kids with American Humane series. Covering basic needs, temperament, and physical traits of different types of animals, each book offers a detailed introduction to the diet, health, handling, and grooming of popular pets. The invitingly designed chapters feature an accessible text and colorful, varied photographs. The books emphasize proper health care and the responsibilities of pet ownership. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Top Pets for Kids with American Humane titles: Top 10 Dogs for Kids, Top 10 Reptiles and Amphibians for Kids, Top 10 Small Mammals for Kids, Top 10 Birds for Kids, Top 10 Cats for Kids, and Top Ten Fish for Kids.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) PS Translated by Aurora Hernandez. Illustrated by Ashley Wolff. Mothers, both human and animal, give milk to their offspring in this celebration of breastfeeding. The Spanish translation is actually stronger than the original English; Hernandez has created lyrical poetry in rhyming Spanish that scans well for reading aloud. The gouache illustrations are sentimental but adequate. Brief additional facts are included in an appended spread.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) PS Illustrated by Ashley Wolff. Eighteen mammals (including humans) are shown nursing their young. The rhymed couplets range from comforting ("Fill your tummy while mama snores. / Dine in peace in the dusky outdoors") to awkward ("Mama's going to nurse you high up in a tree. / Mama's going to nurse you down low by her knees"). Wolff's gouache portraits depict contented-looking mothers and suckling babies.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Crías series. These revised Spanish-language editions focus on baby animal development, touching on behavior, characteristics, habitats, life cycles, and survival techniques. Large, well-captioned photographs illustrate the science concepts. Life-cycle diagrams and comparison charts are appended. Though some of the information can be confusing, the Spanish translations are accurate. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Crías titles: Anfibios, Aves, Insectos, Mamíferos, Peces, and Reptiles.

Reviewer: Alissa C. Salamone

(3) 4-6 Criaturas increíbles series. This series covers groups of animals, from mollusks to mammals, birds, and insects. The text, including sidebars with unusual facts, will maintain readers' interest while fully covering the basics: diet, physical characteristics, reproduction, etc. Close-up photographs of animal eyes on each cover reflect the attention-grabbing nature of Townsend's approach. The well-executed Spanish translation of the leveled text is smooth and precise. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Criaturas increíbles titles: Anfibios increíbles, Arácnidos increíbles, Aves increíbles, Insectos increíbles, Mamíferos increíbles, Moluscos increíbles, Peces increíbles, and Reptiles increíbles.

Reviewer: Pamela Mishkin

(3) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Phil Wilson. Every child knows about dinosaurs, but fewer know about prehistoric mammals like the hyracotherium or the macrauchenia. A brief factual introduction sets the scene, then short passages describe eleven creatures that evolved after the dinosaurs' demise (including Homo sapiens). Each double-page spread includes a pronunciation guide and presents interesting facts about the mammal. Full-color illustrations show these amazing creatures in action.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Recubrimientos del cuerpo series. These books about body coverings of animals and humans are written in a voice that speaks directly to young readers by using a simple question-and-answer format. While intended for independent reading, these would also work to spark conversation when read aloud. Colorful photos add interest, and the simple language makes for a straightforward Spanish translation. Concurrently published in English. Glos., ind. Review covers these Recubrimientos del cuerpo titles: Caparazones, Escamas, Pelaje, Piel, and Plumas.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(3) PS Animal Babies series. "I have big ears and a long nose called a trunk.... Who is my mommy?" Not all of the questions (annotated answers appear on following pages) are this easy--featured animals include the capybara and the tapir--and kids will welcome the mix of familiar and not-so-familiar beasts sharing a habitat. The color photos, often in close-up, can be appreciated by all ages. Review covers these Animal Babies titles: Animal Babies in Grasslands, Animal Babies in Polar Lands, Animal Babies in Ponds and Rivers, and Animal Babies in Rain Forests.

Reviewer: Nell Beram