WILDS OF THE UNITED STATES

How do animals survive—and thrive?

Accessible yet packed with material, this book distills information on a variety of creatures in the United States and the regions they inhabit. With helpful maps and attractive, informative images, Vidal offers a solid introduction to the topic. Starting with the Eastern woodlands and moving south and west from there, this book highlights what animals can be found in each region and includes interesting facts (beavers can weigh up to 70 pounds, cicadas live for up to 17 years underground as larvae, and manatees’ closest relatives are elephants). Vidal uses icons—“merit badges”—to convey the animals’ survival skills; an image of a leaf and an acorn accompanies information on how animals find food, while a leaping hare indicates info on strength and agility. The book will especially appeal to reluctant readers, whether they want to read cover to cover or pick a random page to scour. The colorful art has a graphic, stylized feel, and the layout features bright outdoor scenes full of plants and animals, with text artfully grouped in brief paragraphs, which will make the book feel less intimidating. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An appealing, info-laden volume on wildlife.