Striking photographs from various photographers distinguish this guide to animals’ use of camouflage, as Muntz examines desert, forest, polar, and other habitats and the ways that resident species seamlessly blend into their surroundings. In the forest, a great gray owl can barely be seen against the rough bark of a tree; an Arctic fox’s stark white fur is virtually indistinguishable from the peaks of ice and snow (“At the end of winter, the fox’s fur changes to brown to match the coloring of the summer plant life”). Muntz offers clear, informative text and captions, and a picture key reveals the locations of any animals that prove too difficult for readers to spot. Ages 5–7. (Sept.) -Publishers Weekly
School
Library Journal
( November 01, 2014) This
informative and entertaining glimpse into animal camouflage reveals the various
ways in which predator and prey stay hidden from each other. The clearly
written text defines and gives examples of key concepts and vocabulary,
providing information about the use of color and shape to aid in animal
survival. Insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals are shown in a variety of
habitats (desert, forest, grassland, mountain, ocean, and polar). Thirty-eight
well-chosen photographs, many of which were taken by contributors to National
Geographic, challenge the readers to locate a silvereye songbird perched in a
leafy tree, an orchid mantis on a plant, a pygmy seahorse curled up in sea fan
coral, a gray wolf in a birch tree forest, and many other examples. Some of the
animals are easy to spot, while others present a bit of a challenge; finding
these tricky ones should be entertaining for browsers. (A picture key at the
end will help children locate all of the creatures.) This visual treat will
inspire readers to seek out more material on the subject.-Nancy Call, Santa
Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA