Look Behind!: Tales of Animal Ends

PreSchool-Grade 2—The premise of this alphabet book is that animal buttocks are a way to engage children in basic information about animal behavior. Fancy Butt (a peacock), Dirty Butt (a warthog), and Knight in Shining Armor Butt (an armadillo) are among the 26 creatures that are showcased in large watercolor cartoons and a brief paragraph. The book is most successful when it provides information specific to an animal's rear end. For example, the author explains how the Popping Butt (a bombardier beetle) mixes two chemicals inside its buttocks and uses it to spray its enemy. It falters on the discussion of Glowing Butt (a firefly), which is not accompanied by information about how it produces its glow. The book regularly loses its way when the page has nothing to do with a creature's buttocks at all. For instance, the Hairy Butt (a polar bear) has fur from head to toe. Despite its bright and amusing illustrations, this book suffers from a broad and shallow scope hanging on a slight gimmick.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA
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