3/5

106

This book isn't lengthy; but it's an ABC book with an important message about the importance of saving our endangered and threatened animal species. The book is red, white and black, with each letter of the alphabet corresponding to the first letter in an animal's name. All letters correspond to the animals' common names (except for X, which is the Latin name). The first-page "Introduction" gives the definitions of "critically endangered," "endangered," and "vulnerable" species. These are important for students to understand the book. Each letter cleverly depicts the shape of the animal's body and each page includes a small sidebar that lists factual information: Class, Habitat, Range, Threats and Status Listed. The endangered animals represented in the book range from alligator to characin, earwig, jay, moth, plover, rhino, stark, wolf, and zebra. Several pages are dedicated to rectangular boxes that include three to five sentences that include more information about each animal. On the last page, the author has included a list of 10 websites and seven books that students might research for more information about endangered animals. This book has an attractive cover that grabbed my attention. It's a classic style ABC book, though a step up with brief information about some of the most threatened animals on earth.

[Scholatic]
Feast your eyes on these amazing creatures before they disappear. This stampede of wild animals, from Chinese Alligator to Grevy's Zebra, are so rare, they're all endangered. David McLiman's bold and playful illustrations transform each letter into a work of art, graphically rendered with animal characteristics. Scales, horns, even insect wings transform the alphabet into animated life.
Once you take this eye-opening safari, you'll never look at letters or animals with the same way again. A striking work of art and a zoological adventure, Gone Wild is sure to be loved by children and adults alike.

A unique way to present this topic. Not for younger children to actually learn the alphabet, but relatable and manageable for other ages. ( )