Astonishing Animal Friendships: Odd Couples in Nature

Gr 2-4—Friendship is everywhere in the animal kingdom, though it is often called "symbiosis." Hanackova describes peculiar duos who form a two-way mutually beneficial friendship. Readers will learn that creatures such as rhinos, zebras, hippos, giraffes, and buffalo rely on the little oxpecker to get rid of irritating insects and lice in their fur. Kids will also discover that hippos can safely transport turtles and herons on their backs and that they use fish as dentists to clean their teeth. Ants make fabulous babysitters to aphid eggs, hermit crabs share their shells with anemones in exchange for protection, bees and plants aid with pollination, shrimp clean the teeth of larger fish, and good fungi help tree roots and plants while receiving nutrients from their green counterparts. The cartoonlike digitally produced illustrations complement a narrative that is not only informational but also light and humorous. Although the author focuses on animals that assist one another, she also refers to more destructive creatures, such as leeches and parasites. VERDICT This adorable volume will be a great addition to any collection where animal books are in high demand.—Kathia Ibacache, Simi Valley Public Library, CA