At the library, we have a huge number of slim, hardcover junior non-fiction books about every sort of wild animal in the 590’s.   Recently I came across a newly released one I’m sure you’ll want to know about.  Predators from the InSiders books series is a beautifully and realistically illustrated book about, well, predators.  Animals who hunt and eat other animals.

John Seidensticker and Susan Lumpkin, a senior scientist and the director of communications  respectively at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington DC have written a fascinating book that introduces young readers to a wide range of animal life, behavior and habitats.   The concept of the food chain is introduced early on then various features of predators are explained such as "beaks and teeth", "fangs and venom" and of course "size and strength".   The latter half of the book is devoted to a number of different habitats and the animals who dwell there including rain forests, deserts and polar regions.

Each two page spread is beautifully drawn and laid out with lots of small squares of typed information and detailed pictures that demonstrate key elements or concepts.    This book would, I believe, be perfect for the third or fourth grade boy who is fascinated by snakes and tigers and such.   Highly Recommended