(3) 4-6 True Tales of Rescue series. Photographs by Ella Baron. The rescue stories of four orphaned raccoon kits and an injured anteater pup are used to spotlight the work of two animal sanctuaries in these series entries. Accessible text, engaging photographs, and frequent informational sidebars allow readers to shadow the volunteer caregivers as they work toward the ultimate goal: releasing the animals back into the wild. One of the young creatures "narrates" part of each book. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these True Tales of Rescue titles: Anteater Adventure and Racoon Rescue.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 True Tales of Rescue series. Photographs by Shelly Ross. The rescue stories of four orphaned raccoon kits and an injured anteater pup are used to spotlight the work of two animal sanctuaries in these series entries. Accessible text, engaging photographs, and frequent informational sidebars allow readers to shadow the volunteer caregivers as they work toward the ultimate goal: releasing the animals back into the wild. One of the young creatures "narrates" part of each book. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these True Tales of Rescue titles: Anteater Adventure and Racoon Rescue.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Steven Salerno. Born Velma Bronn Johnston, "Wild Horse Annie" grows up watching her father tame mustangs. In 1971, adult Annie, with help from schoolchildren petitioning legislators, wins federal protection for wild horses. The text makes good use of anecdotes and quotes to capture Annie's personality and convey her personal challenges (including polio). Fluid, cartoonlike illustrations depict Annie's energy and subtly suggest her lifelong disability. Bib.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(2) K-3 In this dramatic wordless tale, a commercial fisherman and (presumably) his son fish with a large net. When the boy notices their lines have entangled a whale, the father dives in to free the creature. Lanan's watercolor and gouache paintings are expansive and cinematic; mostly full-bleed spreads place readers at the center of the action. An afterword provides more information on whale entanglement and human-caused environmental damage.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(2) K-3 When a newborn black rhinoceros is abandoned in a Kenyan rhino sanctuary in 1985, conservationist Anna Merz steps in to rescue and raise the baby she names Samia. Meisel's heartening account of their relationship--"best friends forever"--is based on a chapter from Merz's adult book Rhino: At the Brink of Extinction. The narrative focuses on Samia's early years, as Anna balances her affection for the rhino with her knowledge that Samia will eventually need to survive in the wild on her own. (A recurring refrain is a version of: "One day, thought Anna, you'll be able to live on your own. But not now.") Anna provides Samia with food, shelter, and companionship but also trains her to track other animals and find her own food outside the compound, and checks that she is able to communicate with other rhinos. Antics ensue, as the increasingly hefty (and very smart) Samia tries to join Anna in her car and home (and bathtub), once even getting stuck in a dining-room doorway. Their bond lasts beyond Samia's return to the wild. Meisel's art clearly transmits human and rhino personalities, and beautifully portrays the vast Kenyan environments with depth and layering of rocks, plants, and animals in the complex landscapes. Two pages of endnotes summarize Merz's adventurous life and provide facts about black rhinos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2020

(2) 4-6 Patent chronicles the Australian and Tasmanian governments' attempts to save Tasmanian devils from a fast-spreading, almost one-hundred-percent fatal disease propelling the species toward rapid extinction. After outlining the causes of the disease (with clear diagrams and photographs of chromosome abnormalities) and the scientific research, Patent takes readers to several devil sanctuaries, nature preserves, and labs to observe the progress being made in both reintroduction programs and vaccines, carefully explaining their methodologies. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(2) 4-6 Eleven-year-old December, who unwaveringly believes she will fly, is changing foster houses. Again. But maybe new foster mother Eleanor's house will be different. December befriends a classmate in gender transition, withstands mean-girl abuse, and reluctantly grows to depend on Eleanor, who offers her space without expectation. December's complicated bird-identity coping strategy feels genuinely childlike, and Stark-McGinnis weaves it through the story with such consistency that it makes equal sense to readers.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(2) K-3 This accessible series (If Sharks Disappeared; If Polar Bears Disappeared) examines the projected impacts of removing a single prominent, vulnerable species from an ecosystem. Williams explains that the African forest elephant is a keystone species in the Congo Basin, as the distances they travel--and their poop--help spread plant seeds throughout the forests. The richly colored, cartoony illustrations on each double-page spread creatively alternate perspectives. Appended notes provide more details on threats to all elephant species, as well as steps readers can take to help. Websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(3) 4-6 True Tales of Rescue series. Photographs by Phil Melzer, Donna Stepan, and Jacky Ling. Ostensibly welcoming a new rescue to a real wombat sanctuary in Australia, two-year-old orphaned wombat Chance "narrates" this introduction to the species and to wombat rehabilitation. Plenty of engaging photos and a friendly design make for an accessible presentation. An author's note, three questions for photographer and wombat rehabilitator Stepan, and suggested resources are appended. Websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 In 1925 Toronto, a gentle circus lion is thrown from a train and holes up in High Park. Clever, compassionate baker's daughter Sadie and her friend Theo Junior discover and care for the lion until they can find him a permanent home. Fagan's story is full of quiet humor, nostalgia, and a touch of wistfulness that lends realism to the fantastical premise.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie. In this British import, Izzy Gizmo loves to invent but does not handle malfunctions well--until her cheerleading grandfather and an injured crow teach her perseverance. Jones's rhyming text is competent, and Ogilvie's brightly colored, hilariously detailed illustrations (which depict Izzy with brown skin and curly hair) are absolutely charming. With their varied angles and overall skillfulness, they amplify the story's depth, humor, and drama.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 Brought back from the edge of extinction in the twentieth century, white rhinoceroses are once again being hunted, now for their horns. Markle details conservation efforts with a sense of optimism, despite the current grim situation. The text, which also includes information about rhinos' anatomy, habitat, and behavior, is brought to life with many large, clear photos. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(2) PS Illustrated by Daniel Rieley. After an oil spill, well-meaning offstage "Big Boots" try outfitting penguins with sweaters to protect them. The be-sweatered penguins look adorable in Rieley's crisp-lined, ice-cool-colored mixed-media art. But as Tamura's author's note explains, sweaters are almost as bad for penguins as spilled oil. The last pages of this gentle cautionary tale hint at this point: beware the easy fix, even when the fix is unbelievably cute.

Reviewer: Nell Beram | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2018

(3) K-3 Illustrated by François Thisdale. After Uncle scares cousins Tom and Will with the story of the Windigo (known to Anishinaabe peoples as the night spirit of winter), they follow what they think are its tracks; instead they find a young moose trapped in the snow and help to free it. Subdued-color art with hidden animal tracks evokes the dark, north-country winter setting in this not-too-scary Anishinaabe tale of respect for nature.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Sharee Miller. With Nancy Ohlin. African American girl Shai learns more lessons about life and friendship, supported by her performing-arts-school friends and loving family. In Pants, Shai is determined her tap routine will win a dance competition; Shai and bestie Emmie prep for a fundraising concert in Rescue. The plots and illustrations aren't anything outstanding, but they're satisfying and feature lots of cultural markers and appealing details for performance-loving readers. Review covers these titles: Shai & Emmie Star in Dancy Pants! and Shai & Emmie Star in To the Rescue!

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 4-6 Adapted by Thea Feldman. With Graham Spence. When conservationist Anthony accepts a rogue elephant herd onto his South African reserve, he knows there will be challenges. But what he doesn't know is how much the elephants will teach him--about family, leadership, loyalty, dignity, and love. Readers will feel Anthony's wonder and respect for these creatures in this clearly and movingly written account (here adapted from the adult title). Frequent photos of the elephants are included. Glos.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Charles Santoso. Third grader Bixby Alexander Tam (a.k.a. "Bat") loves animals, so when his veterinarian mother brings home an injured skunk, he's in heaven. Bat's love for the skunk, Thor, allows the boy to shine and connect with others in a world that often feels inaccessible to him because of his (implied) autism. A warm pet story starring a compassionately depicted atypical child. Sweet halftone illustrations are included.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) 1-3 Magic Animal Rescue series. Illustrated by Lisa Manuzak. In the Enchanted Forest, populated with unicorns, griffins, trolls, etc., Maggie lives with her not-so-nice stepmother and stepsiblings. These first two adventures involve rescuing a flying mini horse and catching a magical wish-granting fish. With a fairy-tale feel, these chapter books will appeal to magic lovers not quite ready for Baker's many popular middle-grade series (Tales of the Frog Princess et al.). Review covers these Magic Animal Rescue titles: Maggie and the Flying Horse and Maggie and the Wish Fish.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Magic Animal Rescue series. Illustrated by Lisa Manuzak. Since Maggie's mean stepmother kicked her out, the eight-year-old lives with stableman Bob and his wife in their magical stables, where she helps with injured Enchanted Forest animals. As Maggie learns about flying pigs, unicorns, and other creatures, she makes observations in her notebook. With a fairy-tale feel, these illustrated chapter books (third and fourth in the series) will appeal to magic lovers not quite ready for Baker's many popular middle-grade series. Review covers these Magic Animal Rescue titles: Maggie and the Flying Pigs and Maggie and the Unicorn.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 1-3 Magic Animal Rescue series. Illustrated by Lisa Manuzak. Since Maggie's mean stepmother kicked her out, the eight-year-old lives with stableman Bob and his wife in their magical stables, where she helps with injured Enchanted Forest animals. As Maggie learns about flying pigs, unicorns, and other creatures, she makes observations in her notebook. With a fairy-tale feel, these illustrated chapter books (third and fourth in the series) will appeal to magic lovers not quite ready for Baker's many popular middle-grade series. Review covers these Magic Animal Rescue titles: Maggie and the Flying Pigs and Maggie and the Unicorn.

Reviewer: Kari Allen