Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Animals Around the World
Illustrator: Anthony Lewis
Nonfiction Novelty Book
For ages 4 to 7
Kingfisher, 2010 ISBN: 978-0753463932
Our planet is “bursting with life,” and the animals that walk on land, swim in water, and fly through the sky are all beautifully adapted to live in their environments. This book explores seven different kinds of habitats where animals live.
The author begins by looking at a rocky desert where animals have to find ways to survive in the “harsh conditions.” Here we see a roadrunner catching a wasp, a chuckwalla hiding, and a golden eagle swooping down to catch some prey.
Next, we go to a rainforest where the world’s largest rodent, the capybara, lives. As we explore the page, we discover that this surprisingly large animal has webbed feet and it can “swim and dive very well.” We see a sloth and learn that these slow moving animals eat, sleep, and even give birth upside down in trees. In addition we learn that sloths only come to the ground once a week or so. They are so slow moving that it is dangerous for them to leave their tree homes.
With fifty flaps to lift, wonderfully detailed annotated illustrations and a text that gives readers plenty of information about each habitat, this nonfiction title is a must for children who like animals. When each flap is lifted, children will find additional written and illustrative information under the flap.
