Wild Babies

PreS-Gr 2-A descriptive sentence accompanies each of a dozen richly detailed, realistic paintings introducing a variety of young mammals and birds native to a North American forest. Kiss's illustrations are more than a visual feast-careful perusal will show not only grasses, flowers, trees, and other (unannounced) wildlife (a butterfly, for example) but also a preview of the next creature from its name spelled in grass stems or cracks in the bark of a tree. Even more clues are offered: the glimpse of an ear, a tail, a leg. Appended to this pretty conceit are informational notes about each featured animal and clues to help locate the hidden names and creatures. An additional listing provides the terms for male, female, and young of each species, and its collective noun. Libraries that own Seymour Simon's handsome Wild Babies (HarperCollins, 1997), Kathy Darling's attractive Rain Forest Babies (1996) and Desert Babies (1997, both Walker), or even Stephen Swinburne's cuddly Safe, Warm, and Snug (Harcourt, 1999) should still make room on their shelves for this attractive title.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.