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PS
An exasperated orangutan mother tries to keep up with her adventurous wild child. Simple patterned phrases--"Wild stretch. Wild yawn. Wild morning starts at dawn"--chronicle the pair's daily activities. Accompanying sherbet-toned illustrations depict an increasingly frazzled mother's efforts to keep her fearless baby safe. Parents will recognize Mama's range of hilariously horrified facial expressions, which will entertain young readers.
(3)
4-6
Photographs by
Annie Crawley.
Zoos today don't only house exotic animals for people's entertainment. Going behind the scenes at different zoos, Newman introduces three dedicated scientists whose research and conservation work with orangutans, black-footed ferrets, and black rhinos, respectively, help each endangered species survive and thrive. Their fascinating scientific studies are described in conversational text and illustrated with photos from the field. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
(4)
K-3
Animal Builders series.
Illustrated by
Romina Martí.
Raum describes the way each mammal constructs a home, with information on food, mating, and reproduction given in the context of home-building. The texts are engaging but occasionally anthropomorphic; though the cartoony illustrations portray the animals' habitats accurately, photos would have shown readers signs to notice in nature. Includes a habitat map and a building activity. Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Animal Builders titles: Bears Make Dens, Beavers Build Lodges, Orangutans Build Tree Nests, and Rabbits Dig Burrows.
44 pp.
| Owlkids
| March, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-77147-141-1$17.95
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4-6
Wildlife Rescue series.
Eszterhas, an accomplished wildlife photographer, documents the work of the Alaska SeaLife Center and Borneo's Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine in straightforward texts and vivid full-color photographs; the adorable images show orphaned baby otters and orangutans interacting with caregivers to learn life skills. Important conservation-related information and a "Kids Ask Suzi" interview round out each volume. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Wildlife Rescue titles: Orangutan Orphanage and Sea Otter Rescue.
261 pp.
| Scholastic
| May, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-545-65503-3$18.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-545-65504-0
(2)
YA
Schrefer (Threatened; Endangered) vividly portrays a sibling-like relationship between John and the orangutan John's father brought home from Indonesia. After John's parents' divorce, he moves across the country with his mother while Raja stays behind. The two are dramatically reunited after Raja ends up in a roadside zoo. Schrefer gives readers a complex narrative that brings animal-rights issues to the fore. Reading list.
Reviewer: Monica Edinger
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2016
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K-3
Zoom In on Rain Forest Animals series.
These basic introductions to rainforest mammals offer cursory facts about appearance, habitat, food, and life cycle. Simple (if choppy) texts for emergent readers are adequately reflected in the accompanying photos. Each book's appendix includes comparisons of average weight, length, or height, some of which won't mean much to kids (e.g., at one hundred pounds, "a chimpanzee weighs as much as a toilet"). Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom In on Rain Forest Animals titles: Chimpanzees, Jaguars, and Orangutans.
40 pp.
| Holt
| March, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-9839-6$17.99
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K-3
Illustrated by
Renée Kurilla.
The antics of a family of orangutans are limned in a series of connected Japanese-style tanka poems (five-line verses). The vivid, easy-to-read poetry describes the natural exuberance of these "forest people" (translation of orangutans from the Malay language) in the wild. Digitally colored pencil and ink illustrations bring out the rainforest's verdant, rainy atmosphere and the congeniality of these endangered animals. Reading list, websites.
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K-3
Whose Little Baby Are You? series.
Descriptions of the habitat and physical appearance of an unnamed baby mammal and a question--"Who does this little baby belong to?"--begin these books about moose, orangutans, and giant pandas. Straightforward text explains family, diet, and growth, while large, close-up photos (all clearly labeled but some with odd graphics added) lend immediacy. "Fact file" and habitat map appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Whose Little Baby Are You? titles: Enormous Eats and Soft Brown Hair, Tiny Fingers and Fuzzy Orange Hair, and Tiny Paws and Big Black Eyes.
(4)
K-3
A+ Books: Awesome Asian Animals series.
These large books use simple texts, impressive photos, colorful graphics, and basic organization to introduce "awesome" Asian mammals. The language is mildly engaging ("Roar!"; "Munch! Munch!"), though information occasionally feels superficial ("Camels look somewhat like alpacas and llamas. That's because they are part of the same animal group"). Each book includes Common Core critical-thinking questions. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these A+ Books: Awesome Asian Animals titles: Camels Are Awesome![cf1[, Orangutans Are Awesome!, and Bengal Tigers Are Awesome!.
32 pp.
| Bunker Hill
| October, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59373-153-3$17.95
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K-3
Illustrated by
Kathie Kelleher.
Fu Manchu, a real-life escape artist, picks the lock on his enclosure and leads his fellow orangutans on a spree to the elephant pen. Zookeeper Jerry threatens to fire his staff until he discovers how Fu keeps doing it. The text, though occasionally infelicitous, is nonetheless highly engaging, and serviceable full-page illustrations portray Fu's exploits. An intriguing author's note considers ape intelligence.
32 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61783-556-8$19.95
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K-3
Asian Animals series.
Each volume features basic facts about physical attributes, diet, habitat, and social structures of the featured animal. The texts are choppy but easy to read, and captioned photographs of varying quality are punctuated with interesting sidebars; maps intended to show the animals' region of habitation lack detail. Overall the books deliver adequate introductions. Glos., ind. Review covers these Asian Animal titles: Giant Pandas, Gibbons, and Orangutans.
32 pp.
| Holt
| May, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-9317-9$16.99
(3)
K-3
Photographs by
Barry Bland.
With Thea Feldman. In this companion to Suryia and Roscoe, intriguing photographs show how an orangutan living at a wild animal refuge in South Carolina learns to swim, with the help of her friend, Roscoe the dog. The text provides addiitonal information about orangutans in general. Animal lovers will be fascinated by the photos of other wild animals in the pool with Suryia.
(4)
4-6
Wild Rescue series.
Illustrated by
Diane Le Feyer.
Eleven-year-old twins Ben and Zoe work with their uncle, founder of WILD, an organization rescuing endangered species, on undercover spy missions; in these volumes they head to Sumatra (Poacher) and South Borneo (Rainforest). Forced dialogue hampers the stories, but unique settings, bad guys, and dangerous situations add excitement. Information on endangered species, discussion questions, and writing prompts are appended. Glos. Review covers these Wild Rescue titles: Rainforest Rescue and Poacher Panic.
(3)
4-6
Living in the Wild: Primates series.
These books present information about their primate subjects in manageable sections focusing on topics like habitat, species classification, and measure of intelligence. Each volume begins with a general introduction and distribution map, followed by detail-rich text, numerous captioned color photos, and sidebars. Conservation status and how humans can help are also addressed. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Living in the Wild: Primates titles: Bonobos, Orangutans, and Lemurs.
32 pp.
| Holt
| April, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-9316-2$16.99
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K-3
Photographs by
Barry Bland.
With Thea Feldman. An "unlikely friendship" forms between an orangutan named Suryia and a stray dog, Roscoe, that wanders onto the grounds of The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S.). The text can be choppy, but the story is generally compelling. Bright photographs of the pals in various poses will delight animal lovers. A brief author's note describing T.I.G.E.R.S.'s mission is appended.
32 pp.
| National
| May, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4263-0464-4$16.95
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4263-0465-1$25.90
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4-6
Face to Face with Animals series.
With Elizabeth Carney. These journal-like photographic volumes are presented by teams of National Geographic explorers. Vibrant close-ups of orangutans, gorillas, or wild horses draw readers into an appreciation of the lives and behaviors of these elusive creatures. Additional details are revealed in sidebars and appended "Facts at a Glance" sections. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Face to Face with Animals titles: Face to Face with Orangutans, Face to Face with Wild Horses, and Face to Face with Gorillas.
24 pp.
| Enslow/Elementary
| August, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3078-7$21.26
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K-3
Zoom In on Animals! series.
These books describe anatomy, diet, and behavior of each mammal using short, simple, informative paragraphs. Readers will be captivated by the vibrant photographs of lions, giraffes, kangaroos, and orangutans in their respective habitats. These books are a welcome addition to the classroom and will satisfy curious young naturalists. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom In on Animals! titles: Giraffes Up Close, Kangaroos Up Close, Lions Up Close, and Orangutans Up Close.
32 pp.
| Bearport
| January, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59716-578-5$25.27
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K-3
Smart Animals! series.
Animal intelligence is celebrated through basic facts highlighting the uniqueness of the featured animals as well as anecdotes describing their remarkably "human" behaviors, such as their use of tools and communication. Some of the pages are busy, but the many color photographs of the animals in nature and interacting with people nicely support the books' premise. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Smart Animals! titles: Orangutans and Whales.
32 pp.
| Bloomsbury
| November, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59990-153-4$11.95
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PS
Illustrated by
Emma Quay.
From his feet up to his eyes, a playful baby orangutan encourages each part of his body to prepare for a good night's sleep: "Legs, get some rest...Enough wriggling, bottom." The gentle text, combined with the full-page pencil, acrylic, and watercolor illustrations of predominantly purples and blues, makes this book a suitable bedtime read for rambunctious toddlers.
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1-3
Joe Sherlock, Kid Detective series.
Meet Joe Sherlock: a nine-year-old detective whose first case (Toolshed) involves a missing glass eye, disappearing bundt cakes, and a farting grandma. In Stink Sherlock's after a "mystery doo-doo dog" that's despoiling his neighbor's yard; Diamond finds the P.I. in hot pursuit of a lost heirloom. The books try too hard to be laugh-out-loud funny, but fans of poo-poo jokes won't mind. Review covers these Joe Sherlock, Kid Detective titles: The Haunted Toolshed, The Missing Monkey-Eye Diamond, and The Neighborhood Stink.