We would like to thank the Orland Park Public Library for providing this book for review.
African Animal Alphabet
by Beverly and Dereck Joubert
48 pages, ages 4-8
National Geographic Children's Books, 2011
If you’d like to see a grinning crocodile close-up, or watch two warthogs kiss, or see three silly squirrels piggy-backed on top of each other like they’re doing cheerleading stunts, African Animal Alphabet is the book for you. As one would expect from National Geographic, this book is as informative as it is visually engaging. See striking full color photos of 26 different animals from around the world and view them in A-B-C order. And there’s more! Each animal description is a lesson in alliteration, as the text prominently utilizes the featured alphabet letter. For example, “B is for Baboon: “…boisterous baby baboons…babble and bicker…in an African baobab tree.” Each page also features a “Did You Know?” sidebar. Critter fact: “An adult male baboon’s teeth are long than a lion’s.”
After you’ve enjoyed romping with the rhinos, oooing over the baby impala, and groaning at the dung beetles’ dirty antics, check out the end pages. A colorful two-page spread featuring (what appears to be) miniature ABC playing cards, is actually the clever format used to present more fascinating animal facts: habitat, animal size, food it eats, sounds it makes, and number of babies. Glossary, book and website lists are included for more learning fun. I give this book and its creators high fives. Animal lover or not, I think you’ll be wowed, too!—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer
This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Charlotte's Library blog.
This looks stellar!
ReplyDelete