(3) 4-6 In this lively, photo-packed offering, wildlife veterinarian (and eco-fashion model) Wild does more than discuss her work traveling the world to care for animals. Organized by continent, this book features profiles of over eighty species; each entry includes brief facts about an animal's habitat, behavior, diet, and threats, as well as text boxes with details about their care and "Gabby Says!" anecdotes. The text also touches on geography, conservation efforts, and different cultural attitudes toward wildlife. Tips for vet training, a list of wildlife conservation organizations, an extensive glossary, and an index conclude the volume.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Trueman. In the blue-green depths of a Pacific Ocean kelp forest, a vast array of plants and animals live in harmonious balance. Seaweed, snails, shrimp, fish, eagles, and the "kings of these forests"--sea otters--make up this ecosystem's food web. Facts about each species wind through the illustrations, which portray adorable (somewhat anthropomorphized) otters in a peaceful ocean environment. But, as Buhrman-Deever warns, this wasn't always the case. In the early twentieth century, fur traders devastated the sea otter population, which led to an overgrowth of sea urchins, who ate the kelp and destroyed the forests. This disequilibrium is portrayed dramatically in Trueman's gauzy underwater illustrations. Over a few page-turns, the forest is taken over by spiky purple urchins that raze the kelp and drive away the animals that depended on it for food and shelter. When laws are passed to protect the otters, balance is restored. In today's kelp forests, "there is just enough seaweed, enough seaweed eaters, and enough meat eaters to help the forests thrive." Back matter provides additional details about the effect of unchecked hunting in the region as well as an update of current sea otter numbers in the wild; a selected bibliography is also appended.

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

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Wendell Minor. In the late days of summer in the northeastern United States, a ruby-throated hummingbird (here called Tiny Bird) "feels a pull and knows it must go" on its migration journey to southern Mexico. Flying solo over farmland, cities, and the Gulf of Mexico, Tiny Bird encounters peril in the form of predators and storms but safely escapes each incident to reach its winter home. (The text does note, however, that "many hummingbirds never do.") Scientific facts about hummingbird feeding and flight are emphasized in the informative text and the light- and motion-filled illustrations, which skillfully convey the bird's movements. Action words ("Zip!" "Zap!" "Swoop!") throughout accompany the pictures that freeze-frame Tiny Bird midflight, snatching up mosquitoes and dodging the snapping jaws of fish. Changes in scale show the bird's small stature in perspective, up close next to relatively gigantic flowers, or almost invisible when flying near pelicans and boats. Endnotes provide informative details about hummingbirds and encourage readers to make their yards hummingbird friendly.

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

(2) K-3 Photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz. With her latest book, Burns (Tracking Trash, rev. 3/07; The Hive Detectives, rev. 5/10) has earned the right to add Master Party Planner to her resume. Here she hosts a "moth ball," a STEM-friendly activity in which a group of youngsters observes moths in action on a summer night. They whip up a yummy snack for the insects (nectar made from rotten bananas and brown sugar); smear the food on tree trunks and fence posts to attract the moths; hang up a white backdrop (in this case, a sheet); illuminate it; wait for dark; and observe a number and variety of moths settling on the backdrop or on nectar-laden trees. Sharp photographs depict the group of children as they plan and execute their evening activity, as well as the variety of moths encountered, showcasing these insects both at true size and magnified. DIY directions for creating such gatherings are repeated in an appendix, and all the equipment necessary is detailed and photographed within the text. Burns's use of direct address and her light conversational tone invite readers to join the scientific festivities throughout the book; the text is unfailingly encouraging and enthusiastic ("Hey, is it dark outside yet? Great. Let's go mothing!"). Additional appendices include a diagram of the moth life cycle, a labeled photograph showing the parts of a moth, a glossary, resources (including a website) with additional photographs, and notes from both author and photographer.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(1) K-3 The relative sizes of objects can be endlessly fascinating to curious young minds. How many books tall is an eight-year-old? How many eight-year-olds standing on shoulders reach the height of an ostrich? What makes Chin's (Grand Canyon, rev. 1/17; and others) new science picture book exceptional is how far he takes the concept. Beginning with a group of children and a telescope, the story proceeds through imagined scenarios (see: ostrich example above) to compare trees (from oaks to redwoods); buildings (the Eiffel Tower to the Burj Khalifa to the planned kilometer-high Jeddah Tower); objects in space. As we progress through the pages, the units of measurement grow from inches to feet and then miles, until we are measuring in millions of miles and finally light years, as readers discover our place in the Milky Way and beyond. Complex concepts (such as local galaxy groups and super clusters) are clearly defined throughout in simple captions elucidating Chin's watercolor and gouache art. Maintaining accurate scale in the comparisons of earthbound objects throughout the first half of the book introduces the concept of relative size in an easy-to-understand way. When Chin moves out beyond Earth's atmosphere, he takes greater and greater artistic license in his depictions of the inconceivable vastness of our galaxy and everything beyond. Extensive back matter delves deep into current understandings of the size, age, and complexity of the universe. Sources are listed along with child-friendly websites for further exploration of the big and small ideas presented in this out-of-this-world science picture book.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) PS Every spring, across North America, robins mate, build nests, lay eggs, and nurture their young. Cole illustrates this sequence of events with a pair of robins, employing gentle black-and-white crosshatching and one dramatic pop of color: the signature deep robin's-egg blue of the eggs, which is echoed in a soft wash in several scenes. Uncomplicated language describes the nesting process, while illustrations both mirror and extend the text. For example, a single page shows four distinct views of the female on her nest, indicating the passage of time. "She keeps the eggs warm. She is patient. Inside each egg, a baby bird is growing." On one double-page spread, twelve panels show both parents leaving the nest to search for food and returning with their bounty, reinforcing the consistency of the routine. Far from placid, the robins' lives are full of danger. A fierce storm and a predatory snake underscore the fragility of their lives and add drama to the otherwise quiet narrative. The solidly scientific account comes full circle as the baby birds learn to fly and begin to prepare for winter.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Emily Sutton. Veteran science author Davies (Many: The Diversity of Life on Earth, rev. 11/17) introduces DNA to a young audience by making two initial points. First, all living things grow; and, second, growing means change. Here, Davies reinforces the concept of growth and change with clear examples of seeds and caterpillars that grow into, respectively, flowers and butterflies. After establishing these principles, she then relates them to humans, how they change from a "tiny blob, smaller than a dot" to adults. A set of instructions in our bodies, called the genetic code and created by genes, directs that change. Turning these concepts into concrete examples, Davies explains that it takes four genes to create a nose's shape or one hundred genes to create the color and consistency of hair. She further explains that genes come from biological parents, although not in the same combination for all siblings. Although the illustration of DNA's double helix may be too abstract for the audience, it does not impede the text descriptions and may well act as a cognitive placeholder for a later time. There's a small detour into teleology ("Others grow slowly so they can keep going when times are tough") but this should not interfere with overall meaning. Sutton's watercolor illustrations are particularly strong when depicting growth, showing that some living things grow quickly while others grow slowly, and some become large while others grow into small flora or fauna.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020

(2) K-3 These additions to Eaton's informational picture book series (The Truth About Elephants, rev. 1/19; and others) are characteristically odd, exuberant, and instructive. Straightforward content is presented through expository text in a large, bold typeface. Lively cartoons offer additional details--and plenty of jokes. While human children are shown actively learning about the titular creatures, the butterflies and hawks (among other animals) talk with one another and react to the facts, often with wit. After the child in Butterflies declares those to be her "favorite things with wings," for example, a bird sarcastically and disappointedly remarks, "Wow. Okay." Pen-and-ink illustrations, colored digitally with strong black outlines and solid color fills, threaten to overwhelm each spread, but sidebars, word balloons, labels, and other visual elements function as effective organizers. Brief back matter adds further context about wingspans, migratory routes, and more. Review covers these titles: The Truth About Butterflies and The Truth About Hawks.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2020

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Eric Rohmann. A worker bee breaks out of her honeycomb cell and begins a task-filled life in her colony. The "teeming, trembling flurry" of bees within the close confines of the dark hive is impressively portrayed in Rohmann's honey-toned illustrations through extreme close-ups and varying perspectives on bee bodies. For the first twenty-four days of her life, the bee remains in the hive, tidying up, nursing larvae, grooming the queen, and performing other vital tasks, all while developing her own strength. With each stage of growth, the text builds anticipation through repetition: will the next stage be "Flying? / Not yet." Partway through the book, on day twenty-five, the bee finally emerges above a sunlit meadow on a four-page foldout; she flies into the next stage of existence as a pollinator. After ten days of nectar collection (during which she produces "one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey"), the bee dies, and a new bee emerges from a cell. As with the author-illustrator pair's Giant Squid (rev. 9/16), the art and text together convey a holistic view of environment and organism, with excellent pacing through the complete bee life cycle. A diagram of bee anatomy is appended, and a "Helping Out Honeybees" note discussing the importance of honeybees to human food production and threats to their existence, with a reading list and websites, concludes the book.

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

(2) K-3 Nature All Around series. Illustrated by Caroline Gavin. Hickman's latest nature series entry introduces novices to many varieties of North American bird species, as well as the joys and techniques of birdwatching. The well-organized double-page layouts are filled with information ranging from explanations of bird anatomy and homes to seasonal variations in development and migration. In each, the scientific information presented goes beyond simple facts to include explanations of, for example, how birds stay warm or the importance of plant-eating birds to seed distribution. Gavin's dynamic illustrations portray common birds in their seasonal habitats, along with intricately detailed up-close images of features such as feathers, eggs, and beaks that emphasize the small differences critical for differentiating species. "Strange birds" panels found throughout the book highlight more unusual behaviors and appearances, such as laying eggs in other birds' nests (brown-headed cowbird) and climbing headfirst down tree trunks (nuthatch). Instructions for making a bird feeder are appended, along with a glossary.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Jenkins and Page (The Frog Book, rev. 1/19) team up to tackle a subject that may make your skin crawl--while introducing you to what's crawling on your skin. Each tiny, often microscopic organism described here is boldly illustrated with cut-and-torn-paper collage and magnified as much as four hundred times its actual size. This allows the viewer to see each and every hair on the zebra jumping spider's body, or the walrus-like tusks on the cat flea. Some "tiny monsters" will be familiar, such as the bedbug or head louse. Others will seem as if they're from another planet entirely (take a look at the marine scale worm...or don't). The text accompanying each organism is brief but succinct, and additional information about each of the twenty-four creatures included is given at book's end. Perhaps appropriately, the authors provide a warning on the first page: "After meeting some of these tiny monsters, you may never look at your cereal, your pillow, or your eyelashes in quite the same way."

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) 4-6 A unique and amusing encyclopedia of general scientific topics from master draftsman Macaulay, geared to a slightly younger audience than the author's The Way Things Work books. Divided into five sections, the book explores topics that fall under the headings of matter, life, energy, forces, and Earth and space, all with detailed illustrations and diagrams--and all of which include woolly mammoths (and the occasional elephant shrew). As in the previous books, Macaulay uses tongue-in-cheek humor to model everything from the states of matter, to types of cells, to the properties of color and radiation. In one illustration, a number of mammoths work assembly-line-type machines representing the different functions and parts of the human digestive system. The variety of ways mammoths are employed throughout is highly entertaining and effectively lightens topics that might otherwise feel dry. A detailed index will allow young readers to jump to subjects of interest, making this a worthwhile (if quirky) addition to any reference collection.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(2) K-3 Nature Diary series. Joining an Awesome Summer (rev. 5/17) and a Happy Year (rev. 5/19) as experienced by a praying mantis and a bluebird, respectively, a stinkbug tells its story about the summer it was born: "“June 13: I hatched today." In straightforward scientific thinking delivered in casual prose, the stinkbug tells us how its parents met; where its egg was laid; how it molts (several times) and eventually flies; how it defends itself; and what it eats. "This pepper looked good. I stuck my proboscis in it for a while." The watercolor and acrylic illustrations are humorous yet real-world; painterly and refreshingly un-cartoonish. An ­explanatory introduction and appended notes fill out the science, noting that the stinkbug is considered an invasive species and a threat to some crops. (Not this bug, I'm sure.) The format and short sentences will suit independent early-chapter-book readers, but do read it aloud, if only for the luxury of saying "stink" as often as you want to. Appended with a brief glossary and list of recommended websites.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(2) PS A parade of animals pooping in their natural habitats leads to human toddlers proudly sitting on the potty. No, this isn't a rehash of Taro Gomi's classic Everyone Poops (1993), though the approach is similar. Rather than competing with that standard bearer, Meisel (My Stinky Summer by S. Bug; rev. 7/20) offers a complementary exploration of animals' toileting habits, all in service of showing young potty trainees that, well, everyone poops. Meisel focuses on where animals do their business: "Monkey poops from a tree. And Squirrel poops from a tree. Grasshopper poops on a leaf. And Bear poops on many leaves." In all, eighteen smiling creatures from a variety of habitats poop on uncluttered pages. A simple line of text accompanies each cheery illustration. After "Jaguar...and Sloth poop in the rainforest," a double-page spread featuring toddlers (most holding toy animals) asks, "Where do you poop?" The following spread provides the answer in text and art. "You poop here!" shows happy kids on toilets and potties. Two pages at the end briefly explain what poop is and provide a few crowd-pleasing "Fun Facts"; e.g., "Elephants can poop as much as three hundred pounds a day." Everyone Poops will always be number one, but You Poop Here is a solid number two.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) 4-6 This thoroughly engrossing field guide takes readers into the "scrublands and swamps" of South Florida, where scientists are battling the explosive population growth of Burmese pythons, an invasive species from Southeast Asia. Messner writes vividly about the ecosystem of South Florida ("a place that insists on being wild") and the serious effects that these non-native reptile "eating machines" have on indigenous animals. And she covers a lot of ground here, discussing everything from the python's life cycle to the history of its invasion of Florida to the conclusions gleaned from a python necropsy. But the real highlight is an in-depth look at the radio telemetry project conducted by researchers at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, by which the scientists find an "unlikely ally" in a group of captured pythons tagged with radio transmitters. Messner shares profiles of the scientists and--notably--of many of the tagged snakes (Argo, Elvis, Stella, and others), a nod to the affection and respect the researchers have for these reptiles: "It's not so much now the Burmese python. This is now our Everglades python. It's our creature." Visuals--maps, diagrams, photographs, and QR codes for online videos--abound, and the back matter is extensive, with an author's note, an "Invasive Species Most Wanted List," a Burmese python invasion timeline, a glossary, a bibliography, further reading suggestions, and an index.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2020

(2) K-3 Munro takes readers on a virtual field trip to Caribbean coral reefs, showcasing the "rich diversity of life" found there. Full-bleed, double-page-spread illustrations (and a bonus gatefold, unseen) surround readers with ocean creatures in their natural setting, mimicking a snorkeling or diving expedition. Descriptions of animals (from fish to crustaceans to mollusks; from the spotted scorpionfish to the batwing coral crab to the reef squid) appear on each page, creating a near field guide. Because multiple animals appear on every spread, readers must examine each description and then match it with one of the creatures in the illustrations. Thus youngsters become inquisitive partners, rather than passive observers, in the aquatic experience. That Munro depicts the animals at their actual size, and with colorful inks that mirror the habitat, adds to the realism. All the creatures are identified in the main text, and an appended legend also names all the fish that are shown there. Endnotes emphasize the importance of coral reefs and the threats to their existence; back matter also includes a list of related readings and websites, a glossary, an index, and a map of "coral reefs of the world."

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Julie Benbassat. Over sixty unusually named animals are grouped by such descriptors as "magical," "fierce," and "delicious." In addition to the usual suspects (naked mole rat), plenty of less-well-known species--including the long-wattled umbrellabird and striped pyjama squid--broaden the book's appeal. Illustrations and photographs enliven the pages, which include solid information about each animal's habitat, behaviors, and physiology. Discussion about species naming protocol will be appreciated by interested readers. Conservation organization websites are listed; a glossary is appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 This compendium opens with "You Are an Amazing Machine" and concludes with "Huge: Cosmology, Astrophysics, and a Few Unsolved Mysteries of the Universe." Each of eighteen chapters tackles a particular branch of science, including botany, physics, zoology, astrobiology, and climate change. Because the topics are vast, coverage is necessarily condensed, but readers can browse for pleasure or tuck into a chapter and find inspiration to do further research. TV personality Nye's enthusiasm for science comes through in sections packed with information, boxed quotations from working scientists, "Try This" activities, photos, illustrations, diagrams, and graphics. A selected bibliography and index are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 On double-page spreads that display up to forty-seven carefully illustrated birds, Opie showcases the similarities and differences found throughout the avian world. Before the story even begins, the illustrations encourage viewers to notice how dissimilar birds can be--a peacock and a kiwi look at each other in amazement on the acknowledgments page, taking in the differences in their appearance. On every page, this cartoony little kiwi wonders where it fits in this world of birds. Opie shows that some traits are universal and others are only more common--while all birds have feathers, wings, and beaks, not every bird builds its own nest, and the kiwi, of course, does not fly. The illustrations walk a line between sharp realism and an exaggerated cartoon quality that is especially apparent in the expressive kiwi. Opie's drawings are at their best when he focuses on a single trait and shows in detail how varied it can be, as on the page where fifteen creatures display their wildly differing beaks. Back matter identifies each bird, egg, and nest depicted in the book.

Reviewer: Lauren Kim | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) K-3 Gir Wildlife Sanctuary's first female forest ranger and original "Lion Queen," Rashila Vadher, narrates this compelling introduction to her life's work. The sanctuary is home to more than five hundred Asiatic lions--the only wild population left in the world--and a key part of the Lion Queens' mission is raising awareness about the plight of this endangered species, which faced near-extinction in the early 1900s. Reynolds's effectively organized presentation appropriately centers conservation as well. The rangers' duties include patrolling sections of the forest to track lions (and poachers) and providing medical care when necessary. They also work with neighboring villages to educate inhabitants about lions' importance in the forest ecosystem and the necessity of maintaining the "natural balance of the forest." Weighing human and animal needs is a constant for the Lion Queens: "How can humans and animals both thrive, living near each other and competing for the same resources?" Vadher's passion for her work, respect for the lions, and commitment to education come through in the conversational text and many well-chosen photos (some taken by the author); a welcoming page design helps engage readers in the narrative—which has a lot to offer a wide range of interests. In an author's note, Reynolds talks more about Vadher's experiences and about her own visit to the sanctuary. A bibliography is appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021