  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 03/01/2017 K-Gr 3—Opening with an earnest invitation to "see what we can save—together," Alexander and Sartore have crafted a stunning journey through the animal kingdom. The book implores readers to pause and look each animal in the eye, to soak in the majesty and diversity of nature. Alexander's haiku is lively and at times deceptively light, containing lines that carry with it the staggering weight of conservation and extinction, hope and loss: "grandfather of the hunt/FIERCE and FAST/and favored, forever?" accompanies a full-spread photo of the Malayan tiger, its gaze level with readers'. Not to worry, though—there is a bit of fun to be had, too, from the likes of an impossibly cute doe-eyed Bengal slow loris, poetry that recalls kid-friendly movement (leaps, stomps, howls), and typography that mirrors sound (for "coils of hiss," the letters float up the page). Visual epiphanies also abound: the pairing of an African leopard and the similarly spotted bobtail squid inspires a sense of unity while highlighting, in exquisite photographic detail, their unique traits. A "Chorus of Creatures" midsection directly addresses readers and urges them to consider their actions and assist in caring for wildlife. Three foldouts identify the animals featured (the photos are part of Sartore's larger Photo Ark project, which aims to photograph every captive species). VERDICT Ideal for sharing one-on-one or with a small group, this impassioned and timely call to reevaluate our relationship with nature is a must-have for poetry collections.—Della Farrell, School Library Journal - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 03/15/2017 The world’s threatened species are celebrated in gorgeously hued photos and haiku in this engaging informational picture book. Photographer Joel Sartore, working with National Geographic Photo Ark, is attempting to photograph every captive species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects, to inspire people to save them. Full-color photographs show species alone or in groups on full- or double-page spreads. Three gatefolds display species in smaller portraits, labeled to indicate their risk of extinction. Newbery medalist Alexander’s haiku leaps across the pages to express through poetry what Sartore does with images. Variations in font size, color, and placement on the page emphasizes each haiku’s meaning, which, purposely, doesn’t always align with traditional haiku syllable form (an author’s note explains further). Sartore’s eye-catching photographs, accompanied by Alexander’s poetry—most notably the multistanza “Chorus of Creatures”—movingly affirms that “our actions matter” and may lead readers to endeavor to help save these endangered species. - Copyright 2017 Booklist. Loading...
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