Customer Reviews

Where Else in the Wild?

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I bought this for my grandson, who loves bugs, reptiles and small creatures. The book is fun, with good quality photos and interesting information. I didn't realize, when I ordered it, that it is a sequel to another book. Now I think I'll look for the first book as well.

The third graders at Sheridan Elementary School, Lincoln, NE have EAGERLY awaited this sequel. They were not disappointed. The hidden animals and clever poetry enthralled them. They loved the way the shape of many poems mimicked the lines of the creature depicted. To have the scientific information about the subjects is such a plus. To see the integration of poetry and science has inspired more research in the classroom to accompany writing. There is something to intrigue every student. The book has been constantly off the shelf and on students' desks since it arrived. It has inspired some wonderful work from these eight and nine year olds. The one question they have is when will they publish the NEXT one???

Being able to disappear into their surroundings is a necessary skill for many animals. Sometimes camouflage helps them find prey or keeps them from becoming another predator's dinner. Whatever the reason, their ability to blend into their surrounding is downright amazing.

Each page consists of a clever or elegant poem paired with a beautiful photograph. The rhyme offers clues to help the readers locate which animal is being cleverly camouflaged by the flowers and foliage. And I do mean cleverly! You'll have to look very closely, as these guys are masters of disguise. Luckily for clueless parents, the photo page lifts up, revealing an identical photo beneath with the backgrounds grayed out, so the hidden animal is instantly revealed. Thank goodness for the answer key, as I stared at the Leaf Insect photo for several minutes without making any progress at all.

In addition to providing the answer to the puzzle, the lift of the page folds out to reveal fascinating facts about each animal's natural history and how it relies on camouflage to survive. The Orchid Mantis so closely mimics its namesake that it can just stand next to a flower and be nearly impossible to see. The Lined Leaf Tailed Gecko (on the book's cover) is such an expert at hiding that the people of Madagascar think these lizards are possessed by evil spirits.

Several paragraphs of information on eleven different animals makes this a fairly substantial read. Beautiful photography, fun rhymes and a game of hide and seek combine to become an incredibly enjoyable book of nature. Younger children will enjoy finding the animals, while older kids will be more apt to learn more about these animals that are able to hide in plain sight.

Subtitled More Camouflaged Creatures Concealed ... and Revealed, check out the preceding book of the same concept Where in the Wild: