Review by Booklist Review
The second volume in Cherrix's Amazing Animals series introduces creatures with unusual adaptations that have helped them survive and thrive. After calling these abilities superpowers, she immediately introduces a more scientific term, saying, "These behaviors and physical traits are called adaptations, and animals use them in amazing ways." Next, the book devotes two colorful double-page spreads to each animal discussed, such as the barn owl, which uses "supersensitive" hearing to catch its prey, and the microscopic tardigrade, "a super sleeper" that can squeeze the water out of its body and survive in extreme environments. The text is suitably brief but informative, and the illustrations, created with acrylic paints, ink, and digital elements, are vivid and useful. The back matter, which includes selected sources, briefly revisits each animal to discuss how its survival could be impacted by climate change and then challenges kids to use their human superpower, "ACTION," to help these animals survive. With its eye-catching cover art and appealing title, this book may well attract an audience of animal fans who are eager to be wowed.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--Cherrix reveals how in order to survive their environments, animals developed behaviors and physical abilities called adaptations to help them survive. The things these animals can do are beyond expectation and imagination. There's the pea-sized jellyfish called turritopsis that mastered immortality. It can reset its life cycle after it has been hurt and relive its life over and over again. The alpine ibex can defy gravity using its rubbery split hooves to walk up walls and climb surfaces many animals are incapable of traversing. There's also a snapping shrimp with a powerful bubble bomb attack, a barn owl with super-sensitive hearing, and an eel that zaps its prey with electricity. Each animal's superpower evolved over time to help the animal hunt, survive, and protect itself in its environment. This picture book continuously fascinates with glimpses of animals with astonishing capabilities. Children will love sharing these fun facts with their friends and family. The illustrations, created with both traditional and digital media, resemble comic book panels, which really reinforces the superpower theme. The colorful depictions of a variety of animals are guaranteed to grab attention. VERDICT Animal lovers and nonfiction readers will delight in this compelling work and surefire hit.--Myiesha Speight
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Much like superheroes, some animal species have remarkable abilities. The ten featured species with "superpowers" have notable adaptations that help them to survive. These creatures are indeed impressive, and the book's format enhances the drama: after each animal is introduced, a page-turn reveals the superpower and how it benefits that animal. Examples include Turritopsis jellyfish, which possess "immortality" (they can reset their life cycle in response to injury); mountain-dwelling ibex, which survive by "defying gravity" in their ability to scale sheer cliffs; snapping shrimp, which can produce a bubble that, when popped, resonates at a decibel level that can kill their prey; and dogs, with their "super sniffers" that can help rescue humans and detect dangerous chemicals. Preston-Gannon's colorful illustrations capture the essential details of each species and their environments. The end notes proclaim that "action is your superpower!" and show the impact humans have on each of the featured species. Danielle J. FordJuly/August 2024 p.150 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
