WOOLLY MAMMOTH

This newest wooly mammoth title, written in rhythmic bouncy verse, hopes to wow the youngest Ice Age fans with facts wrapped in an exciting frozen package. Across a watercolor backdrop of cold blues, greens and pinks a herd of mammoths crosses the icy endpapers. Immediately after the title page, the head mammoth gives readers a literally hairy eyeball in close-up. “Look at me!” it commands. “A chieftain of the elephant race, / A big hairy beastie with a big hairy face.” The mammoth explains the dangerous life it leads, always on the lookout for predators. Humans in particular have clever ways of catching the wooly beasts for a meal, and readers see their tricks, traps and cave paintings. Helpful sidebars throughout the text give additional information about mammoths and the humans that hunted them. Hardcore mammoth lovers may find something new here while new converts will be won over. Some of the verse strains to scan, but overall it’s a strong new mammoth addition. The book ends with the mammoth declaring, “Remember me!” Readers will have little difficulty doing so. (glossary) (Informational picture book. 4-10)