Weirder and Cuter

Bearport does such a nice job with these short nonfiction books. With gorgeous photos balancing out the straight-forward text, young readers can focus on the the information in the book rather than the book itself. Axolotl’s are a kind of salamander that looks a lot like a fish. Since they use gills rather than lungs like many amphibians they are completely water-bound. Using large glossy photographs of the different colors and habits of the axolotl the author gives the reader a fabulous introduction to a rather unusual animal. The book includes a glossary, index, and places to look for more information. I especially appreciated the pronunciation help because I had no idea how to say the animals name going in. This is a fun book that young animal lovers are bound to enjoy.

The urgent question, “What’s this weird but cute animal?” opens each volume of the aptly named Weirder and Cuter series. First up in Horned Lizard is a small, spiny reptile capable of scaring off predators by squirting blood out of its eyeballs. Awesomely weird! The giant, lime-green subject of Luna Moth will stun readers with its beauty and the incredible fact that it has no mouth or stomach. Polish Chicken casts a spotlight on the 1980s rockers of the poultry world, imparting how that outlandish spray of feathers atop the chickens’ heads is possible. Seriously adorable photos fill the pages of Snub-Nosed Monkey, along with explanations of these monkeys’ plump lips and signature tiny noses.The high-interest subjects of this series will effortlessly grab young readers, but the books have the added bonus of being well designed and informative. Double-page spreads succinctly introduce topics, such as where an animal lives and its defining features, diet, and common predators. Colorful photos enliven every spread with full-page and spot images, and each book features a clear depiction of comparative size and fascinating factoids in addition to the main text. The closing pages offer examples of other weird, related animals (monkeys, lizards, etc.) and a picture glossary. A solid, attractive series that youngsters will love.

With a few sentences per page and a variety of well-chosen photos, these books introduce animals that will be new to many readers. Children’s books on axolotls, snub-nosed monkeys, and Polish chickens are particularly hard to find. The text provides general data on physiology, behavior, and life cycles while also highlighting unique features, such as the platypus’s hunting techniques and the healing ability of the axolotl. Related species are noted and sometimes pictured, and there are images and brief descriptions of more “weird animals” at the end of each book. Visual support is effective: each book opens with an impressive two-page photograph; subsequent pages include large pictures, inset images, and size comparison diagrams, with captions and labels included where needed. VERDICT: Strong appeal for curious kids interested in unusual creatures and to fill subject holes in more comprehensive animal collections.