This season’s collection of animal series offers many access points for young learners. Kids can explore specific animal groups, including sharks, horses, spiders, and farm animals. Books about animal battles, bodily functions, and real or perceived “creepiness” offer a different kind of appeal, along with useful science content. Several series present brief profiles of many animals, an approach that can help libraries trying to broaden coverage of individual groups and species. Well-chosen photographs, and in some cases, illustrations will attract young learners while supporting and sometimes extending the textual content. Selectors are sure to find a series or two to best fit their collections.

Elementary

Amstutz, Lisa J. Black Widow Spiders. ISBN 9798875224621.
––––. Cave Spiders. ISBN 9798875224690.
––––. Funnel-Web Spiders. ISBN 9798875224768.
––––. Tarantulas. ISBN 9798875224836.
––––. Trapdoor Spiders. ISBN 9798875224768.
––––. Wolf Spiders. ISBN 9798875224973.
ea vol: 24p. (Super Spiders). Capstone/Pebble. Aug. 2025. Tr $29.99.
Gr 2-4–Each title provides solid information about a spider group. Key facts about the spider’s physical features, habitats, and behavior are described with a few sentences per page, accompanied by a photograph. Special focus is given to their unique features, such as the trapdoor spider’s hunting techniques. Photos offer different examples of each group, though species are only occasionally identified. Descriptions of how each spider captures and consumes prey are accompanied by images showing the action. Pictures of egg sacs and babies are also engaging. In some cases, the lack of captions makes it challenging to identify body parts described in the text, such as the wolf spider’s palps or the tarantula’s fangs. VERDICT Solid choices that provide engaging facts and photos on especially interesting spider types.

Arnold, Quinn M. Pigs. ISBN 9798889895763.
––––. Sheep. ISBN 9798889895770.
Riggs, Kate. Chickens. ISBN 9798889894988.
––––. Cows. ISBN 9798889895732.
––––. Ducks. ISBN 9798889895756.
––––. Goats. ISBN 9798889895749.
ea vol: 24p. (Marvels). Creative Company. Jul. 2025. Tr $35.70.
Gr 2-4–These introductory farm animal profiles offer the most basic information with a small dose of humor and good visual support. Two or three sentences per spread, presented in a large, bold font make the text welcoming to newer readers. A few key physical characteristics are identified along with a bit about the animals’ behavior in a farm setting. Most photographs are a full page or fill a spread. Several offer a touch of whimsy, showing the animal looking directly at readers or engaged in fun activities, such as escape attempts by goats and a pig. Word balloons contribute to the lighthearted tone. Animals sometimes respond to the textual data, as when a cow asks, “Who are you calling big?” when its weight is stated. VERDICT Introductory information with a breezy presentation that should appeal to young readers.

Caprioli, Claire. Burrows. ISBN 9781546177012.
––––. Dens. ISBN 9781546177241.
Leslie, Jay. Nests. ISBN 9781546177364.
––––. Reefs. ISBN 9781546177425.
ea vol: 32p. (Learn About: Animal Homes). Scholastic/Children’s Pr. Sept. 2025. Tr $25.
Gr 3-5–Each title examines five animals that share similar but also distinctly individual homes. Opening chapters introduce the primary qualities of each type of dwelling, then readers get close-up looks at five examples. In Burrows, the ocean-side homes of the puffin differ from the warrens of European rabbits in many ways, but both share common purposes, including protection and child rearing. Two spreads are devoted to each animal, with a combination of descriptive text and shorter fun facts. Careful layouts help make the information accessible. Well-varied photos depict the animals both inside and outside their homes; many also show them at work constructing their dwelling. Two closing spreads offer less detailed information about four other animals, or, in the case of Reefs, alternate types of homes found in the same environment. VERDICT First-rate introductions to homes in the wild and several animals that inhabit them.

Davies, Monika. Curious About Basking Sharks. ISBN 9798892005012.
––––. Curious About Great White Sharks. ISBN 9798892005043.
––––. Curious About Hammerhead Sharks. ISBN 9798892005050.
––––. Curious About Whale Sharks. ISBN 9798892005081.
Johnson, Emma Alice. Curious About Blacktip Reef Sharks. ISBN 9798892005029.
––––. Curious About Bull Sharks. ISBN 9798892005036.
Randorf, Debra. Curious About Mako Sharks. ISBN 9798892005067.
––––. Curious About Tiger Sharks. ISBN 9798892005074.
ea vol: 24p. (Curious About Sharks). Amicus. Jul. 2025. Tr $35.70.
Gr 3-5–Like previous titles in this ongoing series, these shark profiles use an engaging question-and-answer format to provide information. Each spread includes a question, such as “How do bull sharks hunt?” followed by a few sentences in response. Some topics, such as hunting, diet, and birth, appear in most of the titles. Other examples target the unique qualities of the featured species, such as the blacktip reef shark’s distinctive fins. Large photographs depict the sharks’ physical features and environment effectively, though the images about hunting usually show only the shark and not its prey. Spot photos and diagrams focus on specific qualities like the great white shark’s tooth size and the hammerhead’s swimming technique. Each book includes a range map. VERDICT Useful and appealing choices for an always-popular subject area.

Emminizer, Theresa. Bonobos. ISBN 9781499451771.
––––. Chimps. ISBN 9781499451801.
––––. Crows. ISBN 9781499451832.
––––. Dolphins. ISBN 9781499451863.
––––. Elephants. ISBN 9781499451894.
––––. Octopuses. ISBN 9781499451924.
ea vol: 24p. (Animal Geniuses). Rosen/PowerKids. Aug. 2025. Tr $25.27.
Gr 3-5–These animal profiles focus mainly on intelligence. General behaviors related to communication and working together are examined, as well as specific examples of topics like tool use and problem solving. Intelligence-related physical characteristics, such as the elephant’s brain size and the neurons in the octopus’ tentacles are woven into the descriptive text when relevant. Full-page photographs often directly support the textual content on the facing page. Images of a chimp gathering bugs and a dolphin with a mirror are among many good examples. In a few cases, the photos are less useful: the spread describing bonobos’ shared nests, for example, shows an image of a single bonobo in its home. Endangered status is noted for elephants but not for chimpanzees or bonobos. VERDICT Solid introductions to exceptional animal behavior for elementary school–aged learners.

Grack, Rachel. American Paint Horses. ISBN 9798892139397.
––––. Arabian Horses. ISBN 9798892139427.
––––. Clydesdale Horses. ISBN 9798892139458.
––––. Mustang Horses. ISBN 9798892139489.
––––. Shetland Ponies. ISBN 9798892139519.
––––. Thoroughbred Horses. ISBN 9798892139540.
ea vol: 24p. (Meet the Horses). Jump!/Bullfrog. Aug. 2025. Tr $29.99.
K-Gr 2–The titles in this aptly named series provide just enough information to familiarize young readers with each breed, along with a good variety of photographs. Short, simple sentences typically introduce one or two facts per spread: “A Clydesdale is tall. It is heavy. It weighs as much as a car.” Most of the books also introduce several horses by a given name, often noting qualities that show the variety within the breed: “Dash is a bay. His legs are white.” Photos span a full-page or more and adeptly show the physical features and behaviors of the horses, sometimes interacting with people. The wild horses in Mustangs are appropriately not named, and all of those images are set in the wild. VERDICT A good choice for young learners ready for just the simplest entry into the world of horses.

Griffin, Annabel. My Book of Dinosaurs. illus. by Andrea Castro Naranjo. ISBN 9781835694411.
Jeffery, Eliza. My Book of Mammals. illus. by Olga Konstantynovska. ISBN 9781835694442.
––––. My Book of Ocean Life. illus. by Nina Ramos. ISBN 9781835694435.
Kington, Emily. My Book of Bugs. illus. by Dušan Lakićević. ISBN 9781835694428.
ea vol: 24p. (Young Explorers). Hungry Tomato. Sept. 2025. Tr $29.99.
Gr 3-5–Colorful cartoon illustrations and a bunch of fun facts highlight these series entries. An opening spread introduces the broad group. Seven spreads follow, each one looking at a different animal. A few fun facts are packed into the main paragraph of text, while a “Did You Know” inset provides basic data about topics like diet and habitat. The information is far from thorough but provides an appealing and accessible introduction to the animals. Each scene depicts the animals in their habitats, with captions to identify key physical features. The clear, simple drawings inject a bit of personality into the creatures’ facial expressions but depict their key body features accurately. Two closing spreads offer brief profiles of a few more animals and some further general facts about the group. VERDICT Simple but engaging mix of facts and illustrations for elementary school age students.

Humphrey, Natalie. Animals of Africa. ISBN 9781978543034.
––––. Animals of Antarctica. ISBN 9781978543065.
––––. Animals of Asia. ISBN 9781978543096.
––––. Animals of Australia. ISBN 9781978543126.
––––. Animals of Europe. ISBN 9781978543157.
––––. Animals of North America. ISBN 9781978543188.
––––. Animals of South America. ISBN 9781978543218.
ea vol: 32p. (Animals Around the World). Enslow. Aug. 2025. Tr $26.93.
Gr 3-5–Each book in this series introduces more than 20 animals from the featured continent. Some are organized by habitat. A spread on “North American Rain Forests,” for example, briefly describes the biome, then provides quick profiles of mountain lions and Roosevelt elk. Other sections look at animal groupings, like “Bears of Asia,” which covers pandas, sun bears, and sloth bears. Two or three sentences provide introductory information on each animal, often covering size, diet, and appearance, with inset boxes adding an extra fact in some cases. Every profile includes a clear photograph showing the animal in its environment. Except for Animals of North America and Animals of South America, the books show the continent’s location on a world map, but ranges of individual animals are not shown. Readers learn a little bit about a lot of animals and get a sense of the diverse environments of the seven continents. VERDICT Strong appeal for browsers.

James, India. Ew, Reptiles! ISBN 9798765669020.
––––. Jeepers, Sea Creatures! ISBN 9798765669037.
––––. Ugh, Bugs! ISBN 9798765669006.
Ransom, Candice. Eek, Amphibians! ISBN 9798765668986.
––––. Oh My, Mammals! ISBN 9798765669013.
––––. Yikes, Birds! ISBN 9798765668993.
ea vol: 24p. (Lightning Bolt Books ® — Creepy Creatures). Lerner. Aug. 2025. Tr $29.32.
Gr 2-4– Each title in this series provides a few interesting facts about five or six animals. The creepiness of the creatures usually stems from their appearance or their dangerous qualities, and sometimes both. A spread about the spiny bush viper, for instance, describes its poisonous venom and the size and texture of its scales, with data about length and habitat added in photo captions. The brief information is well supported with large photographs that capture the distinct features noted in the text, like babirusa’s tusks or the teeth of the angler fish. The main text wraps up with a reminder that most animals that appear scary are actually harmless. Closing spreads include a “Spooky or Cute” page, highlighting creatures like the assassin caterpillar, whose spikes are bright-colored but poisonous. VERDICT Brief but appealing introductions to some especially interesting animals.

Lundgren, Julie K. Escape from a Deadly Hug. ISBN 9781668963326.
––––. Escape from a Death Roll. ISBN 9781668963371.
––––. Escape from Jaws of Death. ISBN 9781668963333.
––––. Escape from Killer Claws. ISBN 9781668963340.
––––. Escape from Razor Teeth. ISBN 9781668963357.
––––. Escape from Talons of Terror. ISBN 9781668963364.
––––. Escape from the Bone Eater. ISBN 9781668963319.
––––. Escape from the Howling Hunters. ISBN 9781668963388.
––––. Escape from the Ice Prowler. ISBN 9781668963395.
––––. Escape from the Spotted Assassin. ISBN 9781668963401.
ea vol: 24p. (Get Out Alive). Cherry Lake. Aug. 2025. Tr $32.07.
Gr 3-5–An intriguing twist on the animal battles genre gives equal time to both predator and prey, climaxing with a lively clash. The hunting animal is introduced first in four engaging spreads with most information relating directly to its hunting abilities. Facts are conveyed through text blocks, insets, and lighthearted but informative word balloons from an animal photo. Two or three subsequent spreads describe the hunted animal, highlighting its defensive features. The last section uses panels and alternating perspectives to narrate the hunt and eventual clash, which is always exciting even though the prey survives each time. In some cases, the threatened animal escapes by using a trait that was introduced earlier, as when the springbok “pronks” to evade a cheetah. Other times the defense method, such as the goliath spider’s ability to fling its barbed hairs, is introduced during the conflict narrative. VERDICT Highly appealing and informative.

Mattern, Joanne. Crocodile vs. Hippopotamus. ISBN 9798892605991.
––––. Elephant vs. Rhinoceros. ISBN 9798892606004.
––––. Honeybee vs. Hornet. ISBN 9798892606011.
––––. Killer Whale vs. Great White Shark. ISBN 9798892606028.
––––. Lion vs. Hyena. ISBN 9798892606035.
––––. Mongoose vs. Cobra. ISBN 9798892606042.
ea vol: 32p. (Nature’s Rivals). Mitchell Lane. Aug. 2025. Tr $34.29.
Gr 3-5–Each of these animal conflicts involves creatures who actually face off in the wild. First chapters describe the beginning of the fight, sometimes to the point of a first bite, then break away for background information about each creature. Most of the facts relate to predation or defense, setting the stage for the final conflict. Each page includes a paragraph of text along with one or two photos that highlight the animal’s relevant physical features and fighting techniques. A final chapter jumps back to the battle, with lively accounts that describe each charge and bite. The narratives stop just short of the conclusion, so readers are challenged to predict the ultimate winner. Most books include at least one action photo of the animals fighting in the wild. Range maps and a simple comparison chart provide a bit more data. VERDICT Solid choices for kids who love animal battle books.

Murray, Julie. Fun Facts About Apes. ISBN 9781098288556.
––––. Fun Facts About Horses. ISBN 9781098288563.
––––. Fun Facts About Lizards. ISBN 9781098288570.
––––. Fun Facts About Owls. ISBN 9781098288587.
––––. Fun Facts About Penguins. ISBN 9781098288594.
––––. Fun Facts About Spiders. ISBN 9781098288600.
ea vol: 24p. (Animal Fun Facts Set 2). ABDO/Dash! Aug. 2025. Tr $32.79.
Gr 2-4–These books provide interesting but at times random profiles of broad animal groups. Each spread introduces either an animal type or a feature common to the group. In Fun Facts about Apes, for example, six spreads cover individual species, such as orangutans and chimpanzees, while three others highlight shared attributes, such as long arms and intelligence. Fun Facts About Lizards takes a less varied approach, offering nine profiles of different types of lizards. While the facts are engaging and accurate, some basic topics are not mentioned. In Fun Facts About Penguins, for example, readers learn a bit about molting, swim speeds, and camouflage, but there is no information about what the animals eat or who preys upon them. Two-page and full-page photographs show the animals in the wild, several highlight distinctive features like the owl’s talons and the hair of the water spider. VERDICT Useful as accessible, though limited, animal profiles.

Parker, Madison. Cuddly Koalas. ISBN 9781978574007.
––––. Gentle Giraffes. ISBN 9781978574038.
––––. Great Gorillas. ISBN 9781978574069.
––––. Leaping Lion Cubs. ISBN 9781978574090.
––––. Little Elephants. ISBN 9781978574120.
––––. Peppy Penguins. ISBN 9781978574151.
––––. Playful Pandas. ISBN 9781978574182.
––––. Rowdy Rhinos. ISBN 9781978574212.
ea vol: 24p. (Growing Up Wild). Rosen/Norwood House. Aug. 2025. Tr $25.27.
Gr 1-3–Brief, purposeful text and appropriately cute photographs introduce baby animals in the wild. Each book includes brief chapters on appearance, communication, diet, and learning, concluding with the mature animal entering adulthood. A few sentences per spread offer a few key facts without overwhelming emerging readers. Presentation of information sometimes varies in specificity. Baby giraffes are “as tall as an adult man,” for example, but we only learn that baby elephants and rhinos are “big.” Well-chosen photographs help to convey the animals’ early lives. Facing images of a lion cub meowing, then purring with its mother is one of many engaging and informative visual examples. Many photographs show the infants interacting with adults or each other, and all books include some highly appealing baby animal images. VERDICT Attractive, accessible baby animal profiles appropriate for newer readers.

Phillips-Bartlett, Rebecca. Invertebrates in the Air. ISBN 9798895770184.
––––. Invertebrates in the Water. ISBN 9798895770191.
––––. Invertebrates on the Ground. ISBN 9798895770207.
––––. Invertebrates Underground. ISBN 9798895770214.
ea vol: 24p. (Meet the Minibeasts). Bearport/Fusion. Aug. 2025. Tr $30.95.
Gr 2-4–Each title introduces eight invertebrate groups with a few basic facts and photos. Most of the groupings are broad in scope, so the text is appropriately limited to a couple of common features, such as the eyes and the flying abilities of dragonflies. A few sentences per page are accompanied by inset text boxes and a brief fact file noting size, diet, and habitat. Each book is introduced by an animal character that eats some of the featured minibeasts, such as Frida Frog and Molly Mole. These illustrated figures address readers occasionally, without adding much humor or factual content. One photograph per page provides adequate visual examples, with key body parts labeled in some cases. Text boxes that overlap the image frames slightly reduce the impact of the photos in some cases. VERDICT Solid introductions to invertebrates for younger readers.

Phillips-Bartlett, Rebecca. Your Cat. ISBN 9781534550520.
––––. Your Dog. ISBN 9781534550551.
––––. Your Fish. ISBN 9781534550582.
––––. Your Gerbil. ISBN 9781534550612.
––––. Your Guinea Pig. ISBN 9781534550643.
––––. Your Hamster. ISBN 9781534550674.
ea vol: 24p. (Looking After Your Pet). Greenhaven/KidHaven. Aug. 2025. Tr $26.23.
Gr 2-4–Kids who are considering pet ownership will find some useful general information in this series. Coverage includes homes, diet, health concerns, and other key areas, with tips, cautions, and a generally encouraging tone. Most pages include one broadly informative paragraph; some include an extra fact or two in inset boxes. Benefits of pet ownership and the challenges involved are nicely balanced; each book ends with a reminder that adults will play a big role in pet care. Photographs offer engaging views of varied examples of each pet; many show kids directly interacting with their animals. In some cases, more details might have been useful. Your Fish, for example, does not mention the differences between saltwater and freshwater aquariums. VERDICT Useful additions to nonfiction pet shelves.

Upper Elementary to Middle School

Collins, Anna. The World of Monkeys. ISBN 9781502675194.
Lombardo, Jennifer. The World of Frogs. ISBN 9781502675163.
––––. The World of Sharks. ISBN 9781502675224.
––––. The World of Zebras. ISBN 9781502675255.
Thorpe, Judy. The World of Bears. ISBN 9781502675101.
––––. The World of Fish. ISBN 9781502675132.
ea vol: 48p. (The Cavendish Square Animal Library). Cavendish Square. Aug. 2025. Tr $33.07.
Gr 4-6–Fairly detailed profiles of animal groups make this a useful set for older learners. Coverage includes physical features, behavior, life cycles, and habitats, ending with a look at threats to survival where relevant. General facts about the large animal group are frequently supported by more specific information about individual types. A section on the streamlined bodies of fish, for example, notes the varied forms of tuna, flounders, and eels. Clear and often lively prose fills several paragraphs on most pages. Every spread includes inset text boxes which add extra facts. Photographs with useful captions provide examples of some of the animals and behaviors mentioned, with occasional diagrams and maps. Indexes provide useful access to species mentioned. VERDICT A good choice where more detailed information is needed for upper elementary and middle school animal enthusiasts.

Mason, Paul. The Farts That Animals Blart. ISBN 9781482473438.
––––. The Poo That Animals Do. ISBN 9781482473469.
––––. The Snot That Animals Have Got. ISBN 9781482473490.
––––. The Wee That Animals Pee. ISBN 9781482473520.
ea vol: 32p. (What Animals Do). Gareth Stevens. Aug. 2025. Tr $28.27.
Gr 4-6–Along with the humor inherent in the subject matter, this series explores fascinating aspects of animal physiology. In The Snot That Animals Have Got, for example, readers learn how different creatures use mucus for hunting, defense, medicine, and communication. The lively text includes humorous word balloons for animals and lighthearted puns along with a wealth of scientific facts. A spread on the dung beetle, for example, describes exactly how they feed their young with poop, supported by a photo, a diagram, and cartoon illustrations. The spread on “poop extremes” is equal parts amusing and informative. Further fascinating content includes debunked myths, amusing anecdotes, and current technology, like the drones that help humans “gather whale snot.” VERDICT These titles offer an excellent combination of grossness, fun, and animal science.

“Get Out Alive” (Cherry Lake) and “Nature’s Rivals” (Mitchell Lane) are strong entries in the already popular field of animal battle books. “What Animals Do” (Gareth Stevens) is a fine example of how fascinating the combination of science and gross facts can be. “Learning About Animal Homes” (Scholastic/Children’s Pr.) shows how examining one aspect of many different animals can engage and enlighten readers. For younger children, “Meet Horses” (Jump!/Bullfrog) and “Growing Up Wild” (Rosen/Norwood House) both use strong visual content and the simplest facts to provide accessible introductions kids who are just entering the world of nonfiction.

FALL 2025 SERIES MADE SIMPLE REVIEWS