Elephants

Readers will meet some of the world's most vulnerable animal species in the A True Book: The Most Endangered series, which takes a conservationist stance in its discussion of these creatures and the threats they face. Each four-chapter volume offers a succinct overview of the animal's key traits and habitat as well as the forces endangering its survival and efforts being undertaken to protect it. Both Elephants and Rhinos draw attention to the ivory trade, but Elephants also points to the elephant's importance as a keystone species, while Rhinos takes readers into South Africa's Rhino Orphanage. Crisp photos, maps, or charts appear alongside reader-friendly text, and several titles address the negative impact of poverty and human conflict on animal populations, giving added scope to the books. Finally, each closes with The Big Debate, which poses a divisive issue related to its subject, and tips on getting involved with conservation and awareness. A nice big-picture resource for young researchers or animal advocates.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2017 Booklist

Gr 3-6-Well-known endangered animals are given thorough, straightforward treatments. Each opening chapter introduces the creature and its main threats. An overview covering physical features, behaviors, and ecosystem impacts comes next, followed by closer looks at threats to survival and current conservation efforts. The writing is lively and cohesive, covering a variety of related topics in an organized, accessible style. Half-page and full-page photographs show critters in the wild and sometimes interacting with scientists and other people; there are no sensationalized images of animals suffering (Gorillas does show a caged gorilla, but it's been rescued). Other useful visual support includes population bar graphs, charts of species characteristics, and range maps. Back matter includes an array of avenues for young conservationists and a thought-provoking "Big Debate" feature, which presents two sides of a conservation issue, such as the impact of zoos and oil drilling. VERDICT Excellent profiles of endangered animals, a first choice for most collections. © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.