annieb123
Written on Feb 27, 2020
Wanted! Criminals of the Animal Kingdom is a cute illustrated nature book for young readers. Due out 3rd March 2020 from Kids Can Press, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
This is a whimsically illustrated list of 13 animals 'wanted' for different crimes (the cuckoo leaves an egg in other birds' nests and gets them to raise the chicks, anglerfish trick prey into their jaws with bioluminescent light appendages, wood frogs 'fake their own deaths' every winter, and 10 more). The layout is colorful and appealing and author Heather Tekavec's writing is both engaging and scientifically accurate. The 2 page layout 'wanted' poster for each animal is full of well drawn whimsical illustrations by Susan Batori. They combine into a whole which will be loved by young nature fans and the rest of the family as well.
This would make a superlative classroom read (in fact the author has coordinating classroom resources available on her website) as well as a fun bedtime or read-to-me read. It's nice to see fun nature books for children which are science based and accurate (as well as being fun).
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.