Review by Booklist Review
A trio of authors offer an engaging look at endangered species and what is being done, or needs to be done, to save them. They begin by selecting 17 from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's list of the top 100 most endangered species. Each species is featured on a two-page spread that includes anywhere from two to four color photos, a one-page description, and a text box that answers four concerns: How many are there left? Where do they live? What threatens them? And what needs to be done? From Tarzan's chameleon to the pygmy three-toed sloth and many in between, children will be fascinated, and hopefully alarmed, at the sometimes low numbers of each species remaining in the wild. Includes a chart of the top 100 endangered species with their remaining numbers (if known) and a generous list of further sources.--Petty, J. B. Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Marilyn and Jonathan Baillie, the team behind Animals at the Edge, return to the subject of endangered animals, partnering with Butcher of the Zoological Society of London to introduce 17 rare animals in a lively, photograph-filled format. Subjects include the humpback whale, lemur, softshell turtle, and pygmy three-toed sloth. Each animal is described by characteristics and habitat, along with discussions of the reasons for their endangerment. Q&A-style sidebars provide quick summaries of each animal, and quotations from scientists working to preserve the individual species appear throughout. A thorough exploration of several endangered animals, which may well encourage readers to take an active interest in protecting wildlife. Ages 8--12. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Striking photographs and clear explanatory text introduce 15 highly endangered species and two brought back from the edge of extinction, examples of the "very wonderful, very rare" living things with which humans share our world.Working from the International Union for Conservation of Nature's "Red List of Threatened Species," the authors have selected a variety of animals, insects and plants from around the world to exemplify the issue. Four pages of introduction explain the problem and topics touched on in subsequent double-spread "chapters": field research, numbers and threats, action plans and scientists involved. Appropriately for young readers, success stories come first: the humpback whale and New Zealand's black robin. Subsequent spreads cover species from Przewalski's horse on the Mongolian steppes to kestrels in Mauritius. Each creature gets a spread with a photograph, a few paragraphs of engaging, descriptive text, and sidebar notes: number, location, threats and what needs to be done. Many of these species have been captive-bred and released. Others will require community engagement and enforcement of existing protective laws. The design is attractive and the organization clear. A map serves as an index to species covered and also locates other creatures that make up the top 100 from the Zoological Society of London's "Priceless or Worthless?" list. An appealing and effective way to convey an important message. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10-15) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
