Awards

• Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
• Cybils Nominee

Overview

Long snouts, bright-red lips, pointy heads . . . the animal kingdom is full of critters with unique features. Learn about the incredible adaptations that help these creatures—and their odd bods—survive and thrive all around the globe!

Full Product Details

9781541585027

Table of Contents

Reviews

Photos of 11 unusual-looking animals are accompanied by statements about the utility of their odd features. From thorn bugs in the Americas to saiga antelopes in Eurasia, this album introduces strikingly unusual-looking members of the animal kingdom from around the world. Singling out animals that 'look freaky' is a dubious premise for children's attention, but author Murphy points out that 'these odd features also make them super survivors.' Spread by spread she presents close-up photographs that fill a page and a half; a single-sentence caption and a short boxed paragraph explaining the odd feature's utility appear in the remaining space. The mammals--dugong, aye-aye, naked mole rat, narwhal, and the aforementioned antelope--may be animals children have heard of. Leafy sea dragons sometimes turn up in aquariums. But the others--the brightly colored thorn bug gracing the cover, a sea slug called a glaucus, an Australian reptile called a thorny devil, and the African shoebill (a large, grumpy-looking bird)--are likely to surprise. The photographs, from stock sources, are wonderfully attention-getting. There seems no need for the exclamation marks that end every descriptive sentence and most of the explanatory paragraphs. The information given is limited but sound, supported with additional facts and suggestions for further reading and web research in the backmatter. Not a necessary purchase--but an easy sell.--Kirkus Reviews -- Journal (1/1/2021 12:00:00 AM) This title clearly explains how different animal adaptations (such as having a sharp spike, a broad snout, or an extra-long middle finger) help animals survive. Large, colorful photos of each animal and an explanation of how the adaptation is useful are included. The back matter contains additional information, a map showing where each animal lives, and references to consult for further research. However, the back matter, titled 'More Odd Facts, ' contains facts about the spotlighted animals, but there is a lack of accompanying photos that would make it easy for a child to connect this material with the information described in the main text. VERDICT This book provides plenty of information about animal adaptations and how these adaptations help the animals survive.--School Library Journal -- Journal (2/1/2021 12:00:00 AM) While humans may bemoan their pointy, knobby, or flabby body parts, some animals use these attributes to great advantage, from finding food to avoiding predators to surviving extreme weather conditions. In this informational picture book, author and zoologist Murphy introduces 11 animals with 'odd bods' from around the world through double-page spreads with large text and a colorful, full-page photograph of the animal in its natural environment. Bolded text also highlights the animal's name and the benefit of its distinctive feature. For instance, if you're a thorn bug that lives on a prickly plant, 'a sharp spike can help you hide!' Other animals, like the naked mole rat, use their unusually big teeth to dig underground burrows, while the bright mouth of the red-lipped batfish signals potential mates in the dim light of the seafloor. A concluding section provides more information about each animal, including its classification, size, life span, conservation status, and a fun fact. A map depicts the animals' range. High-interest content and visuals will appeal to reluctant readers and animal lovers alike.--Booklist -- Journal (2/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"""[P]rovides plenty of information about animal adaptations and how these adaptations help the animals survive.""—School Library Journal ""[T]his album introduces strikingly unusual-looking members of the animal kingdom from around the world.""—Kirkus Reviews ""High-interest content and visuals will appeal to reluctant readers and animal lovers alike.""—Booklist"

Author Information

Julie Murphy is an Australian-based author who strives to promote the value of animals and the environment to children. Before she began her career as an author, she received her Masters degree in Zoology and worked as a zookeeper.

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