Tooth & Claw: The Wild World of Big Predators

Gr 2–4—Arnosky has been writing and illustrating books on nature and the environment since the 1970s and here focuses his artist's eye on the big predators of the world: lions, tigers, bears (oh my!), several other big cats, and wolves. Full-page, acrylic paintings grace every other page as well as the cover; in addition, four foldouts spill across two pages. The author also includes small, carefully rendered pencil sketches—a typical bear skull or spot patterns on a dappled coat. Arnosky's text is highly personal, including details about how he created the paintings and his experiences tracking mountain lions. An "Author's Note" explains the sources of his animal portraits (often zoo animals) and urges budding authors and artists to use all the resources available to them in their work. Included is a list of other titles for readers whose curiosity has been piqued by the brief text and by the author's obvious enthusiasm. This companion volume to Arnosky's dynamic Thunder Birds: Nature's Flying Predators (2012) and Shimmer & Splash: The Sparkling World of Sea Life (2013, both Sterling) is another eye-catching addition to a handsome body of work.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY