Elizabeth Sulock (Children's Literature)
This is an educational book that serves as a strong introduction for children learning about endangered animals. The author begins by informing readers what it means when an animal becomes extinct, and what effects this has on our ecosystem. In brief paragraphs, he describes over two-dozen species such as the Miami Blue Butterfly, the Waterfall Frog, and the Steller’s Sea Cow. Each description offers a short history of how each became endangered--or in some cases, extinct--along with interesting facts about the animal. He ends on a positive note by describing animals whose populations are growing, and there is a world map showing the continents where the species originated. While the book does not use photographs to represent the animals, Jenkins has created illustrations that strikingly realistic. HarperCollins ranks this book as a Stage 2, stating that it “explore[s] more challenging concepts for children in the primary grades.” This informative picture book offers a concise look at a vital topic and can be used as a reference or a reading in one sitting. 2005, Harper Trophy/HarperCollins Publishers, $5.99. Ages 5 to 10.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, January 1, 2006 (Vol. 74, No. 1))
This new entry in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out series features some 20 animals that face extinction, along with a couple of handfuls that represent actually extinct species and some that are fighting back, illustrated with Jenkins's trademark textured collages. Each animal (with the very irritating exception of the leopard on the cover) is accompanied by a brief text block that locates it geographically and estimates the number remaining and provides a brief description of its basic characteristics and the circumstances of its peril. A distribution map at the end gives some sense of worldwide scope and standard adult measurements for each animal. Animals represented include Lonesome George (the last Abington Island Tortoise), the Coelacanth, the Northern Right Whale, the Moa (in the "Gone Forever" category) and the Whooping Crane ("Coming Back"). Although the breadth both geographically and zoologically is as complete as the 40-page picture-book format can allow, with the exception of an introduction, little attempt is made to contextualize the global dimensions of extinction and its effects on biodiversity-and why readers should be concerned. 2006, HarperCollins, 40p, $16.99. Category: Picture book/nonfiction. Ages 5 to 9. © 2006 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Deborah Stevenson, Associate Editor (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, February 2006 (Vol. 59, No. 6))
Noted author/illustrator Jenkins (Actual Size, BCCB 5/04) appears here in the venerable Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series, offering a gallery of species teetering on the brink of extinction, lost forever, and, in a few cases, coming back under careful protection. After a brief introduction discussing the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the incalculable consequences of extinction, the book gives each of twenty-eight species a page or spread with a dramatic illustration, a note on habitat location and rough population numbers (or the date of its extinction), and a brief paragraph describing its situation (back endpapers provide size information and identify the animals’ habitat on a world map). Since there’s no connecting narrative, this is more like a series of thumbnail encyclopedia entries, and since there’s no rationale for inclusion of these particular species over other endangered, extinct, and reviving species, the selections seem somewhat random. Jenkins’ textured-paper composite figures retain their usual elegance, with color variations subtly suggesting the shimmer of scales or the shine of glistening skin. Kids will need to move beyond this to get their larger questions answered, but it would make a thought-provoking and dramatic introduction to the subject of endangered wildlife. (Reviewed from galleys) Review Code: Ad -- Additional book of acceptable quality for collections needing more material in the area. (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science) (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2006, HarperCollins, 40p, $5.99 and $16.99. Grades 2-4.