Why Do Elephants Have Big Ears? Questions–and Surprising Answers–About Animals by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Nineteen animals are profiled with the trademark Steve Jenkins cut-paper illustrations and a question and answer about each.  Why do hippos swish their tail when they poop?  Why are naked mole rats naked?  Why do red-eyed tree frogs have big red eyes?  Each question is answered with a short paragraph.  A small silhouette at the bottom shows the animal in comparison to a human or a human hand for smaller animals.  Includes additional information about each animal and a bibliography.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  You can’t go wrong with a Steve Jenkins-Robin Page animal book.  This one is full of striking illustrations and fascinating information that will engage even the most reluctant readers.

Cons:  I was hoping for a format that would lend itself to guessing, like Jenkins’s Biggest, Strongest, Fastest, which is one of my all-time favorite books to share with kids.

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