CRITTER CHAT

A second collection of animal facts presented as online exchanges and posts.

FastClass the cheetah welcomes readers and pops in occasionally as the book progresses. Through repeated segments mimicking real-world internet sites and online conversations, readers learn about the diets, behaviors, habitats, ranges, and physiology of a wide range of animals, from purple frogs (first spotted by scientists in India in 2003) to the mountain viscacha (a type of chinchilla found in the Andes) to the splendid fairy-wren of Australia. Critter Chat sections gather groups of animals to discuss a shared theme via text messages. Llamazon and YiPadvisor pages show animals sharing reviews that incorporate information about their features and behaviors. Dolphinstagram and bharmony segments put the spotlight on a specific species. The Animal Influencer profiles—many of them on animals who have gained attention thanks to social media accounts run by people in their lives, such as Starfish, the New Orleans opossum cared for by an animal rehabilitator after losing her tail—give a personal face to the data, although their social media platforms and usernames are not provided. A light tone and plenty of puns punctuate the text, keeping the book both entertaining and educational. Color photographs on nearly every page, along with bright graphics and a balance of data and humor, paired with just enough snark, will sustain readers’ interest.

Amusing and informative.