How to Swallow a Pig: Step-By-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom

Gr 2-5--Jenkins and Page team up once again for a glimpse into the animal kingdom. The authors outline 18 behaviors step by step, addressing readers directly as they explain how whales fish, wasps build nests, and grebes dance. Though the text is quite witty ("If you are a guy, start things off by offering a female grebe a gift of water plants"), some adults might wish for precautionary notes for the literal-minded, who might attempt to reenact instructions such as "Pop the millipede in your mouth." Impressive torn-and-cut paper collage artwork on white backgrounds work well with the conversational writing style. Students will be enthralled by the descriptions of an octopus disguising itself, a crocodile hunting for a meal, and a python swallowing a pig. The book includes single-page treatments and spreads of each behavior, with numbered directions laid out clockwise. Back matter provides additional information about the animals, such as their sizes and native environments. VERDICT Jenkins and Page present another fascinating, fun, and attractive look at the natural world.--Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Jenkins and Page are back with a tongue-in-cheek "how to" guide to hunting, building, and protecting oneself like more than a dozen animals. Numbered instructions, accompanied by Jenkins's always excellent paper collages, demonstrate how to repel insects like a capuchin monkey, catch a meal like a crocodile ("When an egret lands nearby to pick up one of your sticks, you know what to do"), or defend oneself like an armadillo. Beneath the irreverent tone, there's ample information about the animals' traits and behavior (and even more in an appendix), adding up to a highly enjoyable mix of science and humor. Ages 6-9. (Sept.)

Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

* "Jenkins and Page present another fascinating, fun, and attractive look at the natural world."
—School Library Journal, starred review

"Youngsters who glory in learning animal facts will be thrilled; for those who enjoy pretending, there are inviting opportunities for imitation. Readers and listeners alike will eat this one up."
—Kirkus

* "Colorful, precise, and often striking against the white pages, the cut-paper collage illustrations fulfill their purpose beautifully. Fascinating facts presented with droll wit—a winning combination."
—Booklist, starred review

* "Numbered instructions, accompanied by Jenkins's always excellent paper collages, demonstrate how to repel insects like a capuchin monkey, catch a meal like a crocodile, or defend oneself like an armadillo. Beneath the irreverent tone, there's ample information about the animals' traits and behavior...adding up to a highly enjoyable mix of science and humor.
—Publishers Weekly, starred review