(2) PS In a creative echo of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” Ipcar describes the snow-covered fir tree outside her window on a clear Christmas night. Atop the tree is “one shining star”; after this, she counts the creatures that inhabit it—two black bears, three bobcats, and so on, culminating with twelve black-capped chickadees. The illustrations, vigorously drawn and painted in rich, warm colors on full-bleed double-page spreads, are accompanied by a rhyming text with many child-appealing details. The five raccoons are “bold little bandits with neat black masks”; the eight gray squirrels have “small feet frisking, soft tails whisking.” Originally published in 1986.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(3) K-3 Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest series. Elementary-level texts introduce reptilian predators of the Amazon rainforest, examining each creature's habitat, diets, adaptations for survival, and life cycles. Abundant labeled photographs, additional facts, and discussion questions throughout promote further engagement with the material. Squeamish readers may balk at photos of half-eaten prey. A "Science Lab" activity is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest titles: Black Caiman and Green Anaconda.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Zoom In on Rain Forest Animals series. This basic introduction to the rainforest snake offers cursory facts about appearance, habitat, food, and life cycle. A simple (if choppy) text for emergent readers is adequately reflected in the accompanying photos. The appended "Quick Stats" section offers size comparisons; confusingly, the diagram comparing the twenty-six-foot long snake to a thirty-five-foot school bus shows the snake coiled up. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen