annieb123's Review of Strange Animals (Animals)

by Tom Jackson

How does a mudskipper fish manage to “walk” on land? Why is the Hoatzin also known as ‘The Stinkbird’? And once the female Pipa toad has laid her eggs, where does she put them? The answers? The mudskipper can “walk” using its pectoral fins, the Hoatzin has a unique digestive system which gives the bird a manure-like odour, and the female Pipa Toad embeds its eggs on its back where they develop to adult stage.
Illustrated throughout with outstanding colour photographs, Strange Animals presents the most unusual aspects of 100 of the most unusual species. The selection spans a broad spectrum of wildlife, from the tallest land living mammal, the giraffe, to the light, laughing chorus of Australian kookaburra birds, from the intelligence of the Bottlenose dolphin to octopuses that change colour when they dream to the slow pace of the three-toed sloth.
Arranged geographically, the photographs are accompanied by fascinating captions, which explain the quirky characteristics of each entry. Including egg-laying mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, cannibalistic insects and other invertebrates, Strange Animals is a compelling introduction to some of nature’s most curious beasts.

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Strange Animals is an all-ages nonfiction selection curated and written by Tom Jackson. Due out 4th July 2023 from Amber Books, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is an absolutely gorgeous and colorful collection of 100 animal profiles with masses of salient (and accessible) info about each animal. The book is fully illustrated and there are lots and lots of crystal clear macro photographs scattered throughout.

Entries are arranged geographically by continent: Asia, Africa, Australia, North America, Central & South America, Europe, and the Oceans. Each entry has a very large detailed photo (sometimes several on one page) with clearly written captions.

One disadvantage is that the animals are referred to throughout by common names, and not by current Linnaean/taxonomic classification. There is also no index listed in the ARC distributed for review. Full picture credits are included.

Four and a half stars. This would be a superlative selection for public or school library acquisition, or home use. The size (9"x11") and glossy format would make it a nice coffee table display book as well.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Reading updates

10 April, 2023: Started reading

10 April, 2023: Finished reading

10 April, 2023: Reviewed