My tongue is long and curves

PreS-Gr 1-A clever visual guessing game introduces unusual animals. Each spread provides a short sentence or two describing one animal feature. The accompanying photograph resembles a jigsaw puzzle with several pieces missing and the partial remaining image showing the body parts hinted at in the text. After seven verbal and visual clues have been given, a spread identifies and reveals the whole animal. Two final pages provide basic facts and a range map. The animals are all lesser-known ones, such as the fennec fox and sawfish, which make the puzzles surprisingly challenging. Opening clues often misdirect: the okapi hints, for example, might lead to initial guesses of horse or antelope. These may not stand up to repeated readings once the answer is revealed, but the interactive format provides an interesting entry into the traits of some unusual animals. VERDICT A well-executed concept useful for new readers and curious animal lovers. © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In these books, each page contains a clue and a partial photograph made to look like a puzzle with pieces missing. As new photos are shown and more clues are given, the reader may start to guess what animal the book is about. A clever concept and concise language make this series highly appealing. A fact page and map are appended. Reading list. Ind. [Review covers these Zoo Clues 2 titles: My Body Is Tough and Gray, My Tongue Is Long and Curves, My Ears Are Huge and Fuzzy, My Mane Is Short and Spiky, and My Whiskers Are Long and White.] (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.