Published by Random House Studio

Summary:  When a whale dies, its massive body sinks to the bottom of the deep sea, beginning a 50-year process that supports all kinds of ocean life.  Hagfish, sleeper sharks, and other scavengers are the first to arrive, eventually picking the bones of the whale clean.  Zombie worms feed on the bones, and squat lobsters eat the zombie worms.  The process continues for decades, supporting millions of animals in the deep sea, until every trace of the whale has disappeared.  Includes additional information on the 22 animals included in the main text, a list of selected sources, and resources offering additional information.  40 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  A fascinating look at a process scientists didn’t know occurred until 1987.  The illustrations perfectly capture the deep sea, with close-ups of some of the creatures featured in insets.  A unique topic that is sure to capture the interest of budding marine biologists.

Cons:  The picture of hungry hagfish descending on the whale carcass may be a bit disturbing to whale lovers. Circle of life, man.

Published by Greystone Kids

Summary:  Each of the fifteen tiny animals profiled here has a superpower. Whether it’s the pygmy seahorse’s ability to camouflage, the axolotl’s regenerative powers, or the black-footed cat’s lethal aim, each animal has something that allows it to survive despite being so small.  Each profile includes an illustration, a poem, and a comic strip that gives the animal the chance to show off its special abilities.  The final poem asks readers to consider what their superpowers might be.  36 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  The cute poems, comics, and illustrations offer a fascinating look at some unique animal adaptations, and the last poem is a nice way to get kids thinking about what makes them unique as well.

Cons:  I would have loved some additional information at the end, particularly about how the hydra stays young forever.

Published by Millbrook Press

Summary:  The tallest living thing isn’t an animal: it’s a tree.  Trees can grow taller than the Statue of Liberty or Big Ben, closing in on 400 feet.  Amazingly, they all start as a small seed, but the ideal conditions of sunlight and water can result in lots of growth and a long life, sometimes thousands of years, with protection from their bark and roots.  From their great height, the trees send down their seeds to the ground, beginning the process all over again.  Includes additional information about trees, photos and facts about some of the world’s tallest trees, a couple of tree activities, and a list of resources.  32 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  An excellent informational book with beautiful illustrations and plenty of back matter.  Perfect for any unit on trees, plants, or seeds.

Cons:  It would have been nice to have a map showing where the tallest trees live, since they seem to be concentrated in just a few places in the world.

Published by Roaring Brook Press

Summary:  As a young girl explores a backyard garden, a jumper spider engages in parallel activities.  They both have senses to explore the world around them, but Jumper’s senses are extra keen, with sound-detecting hairs all over her body and eight eyes that see in all directions.  These senses, plus her jumping abilities, keep her safe from predators like a chickadee and a wasp.  She also uses them for hunting, and the final pages show her successful capture of a fly as big as she is.  Includes four pages of additional information, a glossary, a list of resources, and steps for finding and identifying spiders.  48 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Spectacular illustrations portray a spider’s-eye view of the world, including a gatefold illustration of what the garden looks like through eight eyes.  The extensive back matter makes this an excellent resource for research.  Could be a Caldecott or Sibert contender.

Cons:  The capture of the fly is not for the faint of heart.

Published by Random House Studio

Summary:  Two starlings rest on a chilly morning, then fly away with others.  They travel for days, with more starlings joining them, until thousands of them are flying as a group, called a murmuration for the sound all those flapping wings make.  The huge flock provides warmth and protection, demonstrated when a peregrine falcon tries to attack.  After surviving that, the starlings are ready for some fun, diving and swooping in spectacular formations until they find a place to land and roost together.  Includes a two-page note about starlings.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  The spectacular illustrations capture the movement of the murmuration, showing the black birds silhouetted against a beautiful sky at sunrise or sunset.  The poetic text gives just enough information to intrigue readers, with more offered in the note at the end.

Cons:  No additional resources.

Published by Clarion Books

Summary:  Branches may call to mind the tops of trees, but the bottoms, their roots, also have branches.  So do rivers and bolts of lightning.  Look closely, and you’ll notice branches in coral reefs and snowflake crystals.  There are branches in bodies, too: bones that branch into fingers and the veins and arteries that allow blood to circulate.  Branches are strong and brave!  Includes additional information about branching patterns.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A Joyce Sidman-Beth Krommes collaboration is always a treat, with beautiful poetic language and distinctive scratchboard illustrations.  This is a great addition to STEM collections, encouraging readers to look for patterns in nature.

Cons:  The last book on patterns this team did was Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature, published in 2011. I hope they’ll create another pattern book before another dozen years go by.