The animals in this unusual animal alphabet are well chosen - not the usual bunch! The author worked hard on the rhyme, but the rhythm doesn't always flow; if you're reading it aloud, practice first! Some are excellent, though: "W is for the Water Bear, who thrives in almost any place. They've survived five mass extinctions and can live in outer space." The author doesn't shy away from advanced vocabulary, either. Try this with kiddos who feel like they're past those baby alphabet books - they might learn something new!

Front matter includes a world map, with the continents colored and labeled, and the animals placed in their natural habitats . Back matter includes "meet the animals," a thumbnail illustration and a couple of sentences about each animal in the unusual alphabet.

See also: P is for Pterodactyl ( )