Whose Baby Butt?

March 1, 2018

K-Gr 2-The naturalist and wildlife photographer explains how when he was out photographing wildlife, his subject would often turn and run away just as the shutter clicked, leaving him with a great shot-of the creature's butt. This collection of those images is as adorable as it is informative. Clear color photos of various behinds are followed by a fuller picture of the corresponding animal and basic facts. There are 10 babies included and at the end is a section with additional information. The book is well designed and includes a range of critters from the eastern cottontail rabbit and the brown bear to a moose and a loon. The small size of the book physically makes this a contender for a lap sit or one-on-one sharing. VERDICT A fine selection for early animal collections.-Cynde Suite, Bartow City Library System, Adairsville, GA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2018
A wildlife photographer follows up Whose Butt? (2012) with a fresh portfolio of posteriors.Showing no traces of fecal matter and only rarely even a glimpse of bare skin, the fuzzy or feathery fundaments on view belong to young creatures ranging from moose to mustang, cottontail to sandhill crane--all photographed in outdoor settings and all followed by longer-shot views of the whole animal, usually with a parent. The accompanying hints and nature notes are informative, if cutesy ("HANG ON! Baby opossums can hang by their tails, but as they grow, they become too heavy for upside-down fun"). In a more businesslike listing at the end, the author adds further comments about diet, range, and behavior for each, along with smaller headshots. Though any mention or image of "butts" will reliably get a rise from young audiences, overall this is more about baby animals in general than a specific portion of their anatomy.With the possible exception of the opossum's unlovely behind, more likely to elicit responses of "Cute!" than "Gross!" (Informational picture book. 4-6)

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January 1, 2019
Readers are invited to guess each baby animal based on a simple textual clue and a close-up from the rear. The following page shows a full-body shot of the baby animal, usually with a parent, and gives additional information. Despite the cutesy interjections ("WOW!"; "PHEW!"), the text is informative and young readers should find the butt premise irresistible. Concludes with additional facts about each animal.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)