A Mammal Is an Animal

In this gently illustrated companion to A Bird Is a Bird, a father takes his son and daughter on a walk with their dog through the farm and woodland near their home. As they explore, Rockwell introduces the characteristics of mammals (such as having a skeleton and spine, being warm-blooded, and breathing air) and asks readers whether certain animals meet the criteria: "A ladybug is an animal. A ladybug has body parts that are hard. But is a ladybug a mammal? No!" Animals that do fit the bill include humpback whales, harbor seals, white-headed capuchin monkeys, and African elephants. While readers may need clarification that not all of the featured animals share a habitat--and don't all live in places like the area the characters are exploring--they'll learn plenty about the ways that animals are categorized and classified. Ages 4-7. (Feb.)

K-Gr 2--Aimed at young students just learning the different classifications of animals, this book provides basic information about mammal characteristics and ways to identify them. Specific traits are introduced one at a time, with examples of creatures at each stage, both mammals and nonmammals, to highlight the differences. The tone of the writing is conversational and best lends itself to sharing aloud with a small group. ("Let's try this. A bullfrog is an animal. A bullfrog breathes air into its lungs. But is a bullfrog a mammal? No!") Ink-and-watercolor illustrations are detailed and complement the text nicely. Labeled drawings showcase a variety of animals both in their natural habitats and on plain white backgrounds. Captions in a different typeface provide basic facts. Additional data and reference sources are appended. VERDICT A solid option for classrooms and libraries looking for a title that has a calming narrative tone.--Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA