Who Has These Feet?

This guess-the-animal book asks readers to identify species by looking at their feet. Hulbert describes how each animal's treads are acclimated to its particular environment: a tree frog's toes are sticky; a squirrel uses the claws on its toes to scamper along trees; and a sea turtle has flippers for swimming. A gatefold features all of the animals together--"Who has these feet? We have these feet!" Brooks's naturalistic yet affable animals will likely inspire readers to take a closer look at their own feet. Ages 3-7. (Aug.)

K-Gr 1--Nine animals present their tootsies for detailed examination in this attractive, informational picture book. After repeating the title question, Hulbert provides one succinct explanatory sentence for each animal on the reason why its foot is shaped as it is: "A squirrel has claws on its toes so it can run up and down trees." Children who are just beginning to read will find the bold font a decent size and easy to manage. The final gatefold opens out from both right and left to create a four-page spread showing all of the animals in a review lineup rendered in watercolors. While older collections may have Peter Parnall's Feet! (Macmillan, 1988), with descriptions of animal feet by size, speed, and other attributes, or various new titles on shoes for every occasion and occupation such as Stephen R.Swinburne's Whose Shoes?: A Shoe for Every Job (Boyds Mills, 2010), this title earns its own place on current picture-book shelves.--Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

..".this title earns its own place on current picture-book shelves." —School Library Journal

"Brooks' watercolor scenes, which ably highlight both adaptation and environment, will perform well for individual readers and small class groups." —BCCB

"Brooks's naturalistic yet affable animals will likely inspire readers to take a closer look at their own feet." —Publishers Weekly

"The simple text, the colorful illustrations, and the guessing game combine to make this an engaging picture book for reading aloud." —Booklist

"The text and concept are refreshingly simple, while still educating and entertaining. The richly colored and realistic watercolor illustrations depict child-friendly beasts without anthropomorphizing them. A gatefold at the conclusion brings all the animals together, and a checkerboard of heads and feet on its flaps is a ready-made matching game....Young animal fans will find much to enjoy and are sure to ask for multiple readings." —Kirkus Reviews