Hello World: Animals

Gr 3–6—Sturdy cardboard pages and fold-up flaps provide brief facts about more than 150 animals. Each continent is represented by a two-page spread, with Antarctica and the Arctic Circle combined. A paragraph of text introduces the continent. Readers can lift the flaps (about 15 per location) to reveal each animal's name and an interesting tidbit. Some of the text is broad ("Dingos are wild dogs that howl like wolves"), while others are more specific ("Beaver teeth never stop growing"). Continent maps are loosely detailed, with countries outlined but not labeled. Some featured areas are noted with arrows, including Madagascar, the Everglades, and the Andes. The lack of specificity usually works given the scope of the book, though in some cases, such as the Amazon Rainforest and Borneo, educators may wish for more in-depth coverage. Several larger flaps and text boxes introduce topics ranging from deforestation to the Great Barrier Reef. The brevity of the information limits usefulness for school reports, but this is a strong choice for younger or more casual readers. More details about animals and geography can be found in the Smithsonian Children's Animal Atlas or Liberty Street and Animal Planet's Animal Atlas.