Weird But Cute
Reading Level Grade 2Interest Level Grades K – 3Copyright 2016
Reviewed
Reading Level Grade 2Interest Level Grades K – 3Copyright 2016
ReviewedThe animal world is full of adorable oddballs. In this series, beginning readers will learn about animals that are both weird and cute, such as the spiky, balloon-shaped puffer fish, the super fluffy angora rabbit, and the tiny, big-eyed tarsier. A fresh design and colorful photos enhance the straightforward yet playful text, which is sure to hold children’s interest. Each 24-page book features controlled text with age-appropriate vocabulary and simple sentence construction. Eye-catching photos closely align with clear, descriptive text. These delightful, informative books will quickly become children’s favorites.
This attractive set definitely leans more on the cute side than the weird. Each opening spread uses a variety of font styles to introduce the notable physical characteristics of the subject. Size, appearance, enemies, diet, and babies are covered. Angora, Gecko, and Tarsier make use of onomatopoeia. Overall the photos work well and include cutouts, insets, and fullpage images. A closingMore - ¦ section gives three additional examples of animals with similar weird characteristics or other related species. The captioned photo glossaries occasionally struggle to illustrate complex verbs like grind (Angora), digest (Hedgehog), and poison (Pufferfish). VERDICT The variety of animals here makes this series a possibility for larger collections.
School Library Journal
