“Although I know / I’m very slow / (the pokiest around), / I take first prize, / Endurance-wise, / for time spent upside down.” (“Slowpoke) Twenty animals are personified in this collection of poems arranged in a guessing-game format. Readers are encouraged to speculate who is the fastest, stinkiest, strongest etc. Digital artwork celebrates the features of these extraordinary animals, such as the sticky tongue of the Giant Anteater or circular sand art creations formed by the White-spotted Puffer Fish. Some animals will be familiar for their feats, like Cheetah speed, and the sloth’s status as slowest mammal (exemplified in the “Slowpoke” poem above), while others will be novel, such as the Eurasian Hoopoe’s distinctive scent. Animal facts follow each “mask” poem (which speak in the persona of each animal subject), with additional details about protecting endangered animals, animal measurements, and more at volume’s end. (Ages 4-8)

Kids discover animal extremes through playful poems and fascinating facts. Who’s tops in the animal world? Readers get to find out, as they play a guessing game that uses delightful persona poems to introduce 19 animals who are the best in some way. Each poem offers hints about the identity of an animal and what makes it so amazing. Included are popular categories, such as Biggest Animal Ever (blue whale) and Fastest Short-Distance Runner (cheetah), as well as more unexpected ones, such as Best Engineer (North American beaver) and Longest Tongue (giant anteater). It’s a lively, fun way to learn - for animal lovers of every stripe!