Peacocks

Rather than delivering the basics, like lions, tigers, and bears, these volumes in the continuing Living Wild series focus on some of the planet's less understood yet often more intriguing animals. Geared for both the browsing reader and serious student, the oversize books blend detailed information with engaging sidebar facts and numerous high-quality color photos, many of which are full page. Each title presents an overview of the species as well as its physical characteristics, habitat, food sources, defense mechanisms, mating, care for its young, and special qualities that make it unusual or unique. An especially attractive volume, Peacocks tells the purpose of the bird's impressive plumage and how it cares for its feathers. All of the books consider how the animal has been represented in religion, literature, art, and popular media and even include a short folktale or myth related to the creature. Perhaps most important is how the series addresses threats, particularly human impact, to the survival of these species. Whether weird, beautiful, or simply adorable, this series has its animals covered.--Leeper, Angela Copyright 2016 Booklist

Gr 3-5-Readers are introduced to a variety of animals through large, crystal clear photographs and atmospheric text ("It is just before sunrise on India's Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau. A corsac fox silently descends a grassy slope."). The coverage is comprehensive but accessible. Each volume ends with an "Animal Tales" spread that retells a folktale or myth surrounding the topic creature. However, the majority of the works cited in the bibliography of each title are not geared toward the intended audience of the set, making this ideal for browsers rather than report writers. © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.