​EGG: Nature’s Perfect Package
Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Illustrations by Steve Jenkins
 
Here’s data on anything budding biologists might want to know about eggs, visualized in Jenkins’s exquisite torn- and cut-paper collages. In gorgeous textures and colors, examples include comparison of egg sizes--some are microscopic, while the elephant bird’s is off the page. For safety, eggs are laid in places as varied as the sea, a carnivorous plant, or deep inside an acorn--a beautiful splash tetra fish is shown leaping to attach her eggs to an overhanging leaf. Other elegantly arranged double-page spreads picture data on packaging, transportation (check out strategies of a weedy seadragon and a black-eyed squid), incubation, and exit from the eggs. Finally, kids can follow development inside the egg of a chicken and an alligator, noting the number of days for each hatchling to emerge. From its egg-yolk yellow endpapers to an illustrated fact list of creatures, EGG offers children and adults a look at one artist’s inspired approach to infographics.
2015, Ages 5 up 

Check it out from your library using the library catalog. Donate to an improved Sebastopol Regional Library here.

Recommended by: Barbara Talcroft
Barbara Talcroft reviews children’s books professionally for childrenslit.com and for Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.  She has a Master’s degree in International Children’s Literature.  She also has many years’ experience as a teacher.  Barbara is one of the founders of LANTERN and its past chairperson.

Animal Kingdom
Illustrations by Nicholas Blechman
Text by Simon Rogers
 
Infographics are everywhere! Blechman, an art director at the New York Times, with data journalist Rogers, has created a stunning compendium of statistics and graphics about unusual animals of the world. Categories are intriguing; for example, “Senses,” “Habitats,” “Record-Breakers,” and “Killers” (most efficient: cats). Blechman’s silhouette shapes are dazzling against saturated backgrounds of emerald, magenta, sun yellow, brilliant crimson, and pulsing turquoise. Text often swirls, spirals, or follows the shape of an octagonal web. Young readers may be surprised to discover (in yellow, black, and green) that a sperm whale’s brain weighs seventeen pounds contrasted with a human’s three pounds. Kids will love the witty chapter on dogs--their work, bones, and breeds. Capturing the essence of creatures from microbes to mammals, Blechman’s not so accurate picturing birds, but mostly the data’s fascinating for both kids and adults. Who knew that invertebrates make up 97% of all species or that London’s home to 10,000 foxes?
2014, Ages 6 to 9

Check it out from your library using the library catalog. Donate to an improved Sebastopol Regional Library here.

Recommended by: Barbara Talcroft
Barbara Talcroft reviews children’s books professionally for childrenslit.com and for Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.  She has a Master’s degree in International Children’s Literature.  She also has many years’ experience as a teacher.  Barbara is one of the founders of LANTERN and its past chairperson.