Wilderness

Who said nonfiction books are boring? With illustrations that strike a balance between realistic and whimsical, fun facts hidden under a variety of popup flaps, and a new ecosystem on every page, Wilderness is sure to catch and keeps kids’ attention all while teaching them about the animals that live around the world.

The first page begins with an overview of the Western and Eastern hemispheres, giving kids a great opportunity to learn about map keys and the different environments on each of the seven continents. The rest of the book takes a closer look at each of the biospheres (such as rain forest, savanna, and desert) and the conditions animals call home.

I’ve always had a soft spot for sea life, but as much as I would love for the ocean page to be my favorite, it actually has the least interactive features (pop ups, spinning dials, etc.), and I wish the description of the Great White Shark was a more unbiased – as it is, it makes it sound like the sharks’ goal is to ambush and eat each other. Other highlights include the rain forest – where you just might find a tiger hiding among the tress – and the fresh water page – where you can turn a dial to follow tadpoles from their round, little eggs all the way to growing legs.

Overall, this is a book that is sure to engage young readers and make them eager to learn about the animals of the world.