Animal antipodes [global opposites]

After a clear pronunciation guide on the title page, readers learn examples of antipodes on Earthand a few respective animal inhabitantsand why they never share daylight hours.Offering a clear definition of "antipodes," the introductory double-page spread features a huge, stylized rendition of Earth in outer space, setting up the idea that there are "amazing animals" living in places that are exactly opposite each other on the globe. "Each creature has evolved and adapted to live in their own special place in the world." The double-page spread that follows starts a pattern that holds for the next 10 page turns: There's a small amount of information in graceful language ("The North Pole. Under the northern lights, polar bears roam by icy waves"); vivid, colorful, collagelike art across the top halves of the pages; and the unique fun of turning each spread upside down to access the art and text describing the right-side-up's antipode. There is a small globe at dead center of each spread on which the relevant antipodes are indicated, but its location and hard-to-decipher land shapes detract from usefulness. The final pages clearly explain the planet's rotation, revolution, and tiltagain accompanied by striking artwork. The endpapers offer additional delight, with labeled, colored-pencil renditions of animals that readers may (or may not) have noticed during their first read. An attractive addition to natural-science shelves. (Informational picture book. 5-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.