Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* With a giant panda munching a stalk of bamboo on the cover, this small, square picture book presents an exciting introduction to what animals eat and how they collect, store, and digest their food. A baby blue whale drinks the equivalent of 800 glasses of milk every day and can gain 200 pounds every 24 hours, for example. Ostriches eat rocks that help grind up the plants that make up their diet. The real zoological facts are as thrilling as monster stories: the black widow spider paralyzes insects and wraps its still-alive victims in a smothering silk cocoon, while the anaconda, which needs only four or five meals a year and swallows its prey whole, can open its jaws wide enough to fit creatures as large as a deer or a pig. In contrast, the shrew can die of starvation if it goes two or three hours without eating. The beautiful cut- and torn-paper collage illustrations are as expertly colored, detailed, and expressive as in the creators' previous titles, and the layout, featuring plenty of white space, nicely spotlights each animal in action; one terrific double-page spread shows a tender image of a pelican reaching down deep into its mother's throat for regurgitated food. Older readers will want to move on to the detailed, illustrated appendix, which offers more information about each featured animal and includes a reference to Darwin. Another standout science title from the husband-and-wife team.--Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Part of a trio of new small-format picture books about animals, this guide to their dietary habits is anchored by the characteristically naturalistic yet artful collages readers have come to expect from this husband-and-wife team. Several animals are highlighted on each spread, set against white backdrops that keep all the attention on the art. Moments of levity balance the information being parceled out: "Ouch!" shouts an "unlucky grasshopper," who has just been impaled on a thorn by a butcherbird. Back matter provides even more information about the 17 featured animals. Also available: Time to Sleep and Time for a Bath. Ages 4-8. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-While readers' meal of choice may be different from that of the dung beetle, Jenkins and Page will convince youngsters to be thankful that those creatures thrive on animal waste. Providing a brief glimpse of the unusual eating habits of 17 animals supplemented by informational endnotes, the authors show respect and appreciation for the animal kingdom in their thoughtful and clear presentation of the facts. They also provide a touch of humor in occasional asides, as in the imagined voices of the animals: "I can't believe I ate the whole thing!" says the stuffed-full anaconda. As can be expected, the illustrations are astounding. Jenkins's signature cut-and-torn paper collages and textures are remarkable. The artist works with a gorgeous selection of papers and through his collage techniques manages wonderful contrasts, such as smooth bamboo against the soft fur of the giant panda. With phenomenal illustrations and facts both revolting and fascinating, this title is sure to please.-Heather Acerro, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Most living things eat, bathe, and sleep, but they don't all accomplish these tasks in the same fashion. From the familiar to the lesser known, a selection of animals are highlighted for their unique behaviors. Accessible text, along with torn- and cut-paper collages set against white backgrounds, place each animal in the spotlight. More detailed descriptions of the featured creatures are appended. [Review covers these titles: Time for a Bath, Time to Eat, and Time to Sleep.] (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
