October 15, 2019
A selection of endangered or threatened creatures play peekaboo with viewers in this vivid gallery of close-up portraits. Extracted from Endangered, his much larger 2017 coffee-table book for adults, Flach's photographed figures are all riveting--mostly extreme close-ups, all reproduced with knife-edge clarity, and generally posed against flat black backgrounds that make the colors and patterns of feathers, fur, and scales pop. The design is finicky. Portraits, printed hints ("I am a gentle giant with a heart-shaped nose"; "I may be a very big cat, but you won't hear me meow"), the titular refrain, and occasional filler scenes of concealing foliage or further details are all arranged to incorporate either die-cut holes through which the full pictures can be glimpsed or small uncut circles that seem to wish they were die cuts. Still, viewers will likely barely notice the inconsistency, having been brought eye to eye with animals including a panda, a polar bear, an axolotl, a rolled-up white-bellied pangolin, a magisterial Philippine eagle, and other rarities large and small, each of which positively radiates a fierce, expressive presence. Preceding a final page of general advice for planetary caretakers, the animals regather to explain how deforestation, pollution, and other negative human behavior have threatened their continued existence. Light on specific information but big on visual impact. (Informational novelty. 6-8)
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October 25, 2019
PreS-Gr 3-Cutouts are used throughout this book to provide a partial view of an animal that is initially identified by just a few clues. The turn of a page then reveals full-page photos of the creatures set against black backgrounds. Many of the animals, like the polar bear and the Bengal tiger, will be familiar to children. Others are examples of lesser-known creatures, such as the white-bellied pangolin, the crowned sifaka, and the Indian gharial. Flach shows some animal habitats and also provides fascinating close-ups of feathers, fur, shells, and scales. This book will be enjoyed by young children who will find the guessing game to be engaging. Older kids can spend time independently with the "Who Are We?" section, which explains what makes each animal unique. Although the book's font is regrettably small, the final page of back matter serves as an excellent guide on how to play an effective part in protecting the environment. VERDICT The arresting photographs make this title stand out among books on the topic of endangered animals.-Gloria Koster, formerly at West School, New Canaan, CT
Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
December 1, 2019
Grades 1-3 Twelve endangered animals hide between the pages of this glossy book, offering readers visual and verbal clues before a page-turn reveals their identities. The animals themselves come from all around the world, and while some, like the giant panda, polar bear, and Bengal tiger will most likely be recognizable to young readers, others, like the axolotl, crowned sifaka, and Indian gharial may be harder to puzzle out. The clues, written in the first person, offer basic background information alongside a cutout (or several), large enough for readers on the younger side to maintain interest, that provides a partial glimpse of an animal ("I have a suit of armor and a super-long tongue for slurping up insects?yum!" one creature says. "Who am I?" A white-bellied pangolin!). Back matter includes profiles explaining how each animal became endangered. Information tends to be light?this is more of a browser's book, as the animals are strikingly photographed against black backgrounds. The most fact-packed section explains the steps individuals can take to help endangered species. A gorgeous first resource.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)