Where in the wild

K-Gr 2-With eye-popping, collage-style illustrations, Lambert sets the stage for an informative glance at animal habitats and preservation. Bishop's lyrical text takes readers on an adventure through a number of ecosystems. Each stop in a new terrain allows children to immerse themselves in the exquisite illustrations while learning about specific creatures who call the habitat home. Kids will be immediately drawn in by Lambert's vibrant art. The peek-a-boo windows that showcase critters on the previous and following page provide extra information and act as an attention grabber. The text will challenge beginning readers, but will also serve as an excellent read-aloud addition to a unit on habitats. The end of the selection provides an age-appropriate introduction on how to decrease habitat destruction. VERDICT A visually pleasing nonfiction selection that will -delight young animal fans and -science educators alike.-Brittany Richards, -Westernport Elementary School, MD © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Several animalsincluding a sea horse, a camel, and a meerkattalk in rhyming couplets about themselves and their different, respective habitats.Large lettering on the verso of the first lush, colorful, collagelike double-page spreadthis one featuring river-loving flora and faunaproclaims: "Across the world, on land and sea, / Are creatures living wild and free. / And each one has a precious home / A habitat,' its place to roam." On the recto, an otter explains why it considers the river its home and then tells a little about its own characteristics. Every habitat mentioned similarly features a rhyming introduction followed by a denizen's direct address. Scansion is perfect throughout, and the verses give accurate facts about natureother than the poetic license that requires a golden eagle to smile for the sake of a rhyme. The layout features this bonus: a cutout window in each spread that cleverly shows an animal in one habitat that can adapt to the habitat described on the adjacent spread. These creatures receive an additional, prose gloss. River, rainforest, savanna, desert, forest, plain, mountain/evergreen forest, tundra, and ocean each receive one double-page spread of habitat gloryglorious indeed in color and layoutwith predators safely distanced from prey. One caveat: The narrating animal is not always immediately obvious, so the youngest viewers will need adult help in animal identification. Endnotes urge protection of ecosystems.An excellent introduction to habitats. (Informational picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.