Pink Is for Blobfish: Discovering the World's Perfectly Pink Animals
(World of Weird Animals)

Pink is so much more than cupcakes and princesses--some of the most unusual animals on the planet boast rosy hues. Using a playful "pink is for" refrain, Keating (the My Life Is a Zoo series) opens her World of Weird Animals series by familiarizing readers with such creatures as the pink fairy armadillo, pygmy seahorse, Amazon river dolphin, and naked mole rat. Crisp photography combines with DeGrand's goofy cartoon interpretations of each animal. Keating maintains a casual tone while delivering intriguing details about each animal; sidebars chart key statistics, including size, predators, and diet. Readers will never look at pink the same way. Ages 5-8. Author's agent: Kathleen Rushall, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. (Feb.)

Gr 1-4--Keating explores 17 animals, including amphibians, insects, fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals from around the world--all of them pink. The cover alone, which depicts a glossy pink blobfish against a matte black background, will attract plenty of attention, and the subject matter will hold it. The first page, with text in neon pink letters against a black background, teases, "Think you know pink? Think again." Among the animals covered are the naked mole rat, the pinktoe tarantula, and the roseate spoonbill. On each spread, Keating introduces a different strange and fascinating creature; included are a full-body photo, a funny cartoon illustration, a brief paragraph of information, a listing of basic facts, and a high-interest inset, all contrasted against a variety of vibrant backgrounds. A range map is included on the final spread. VERDICT A popular addition for larger collections or those in need of materials on nontypical animals.--Carol S. Surges, formerly at Longfellow Middle School, Wauwatosa, WI