Meerkats Safari
This nifty little hardcover has something for everyone, from beautiful illustrations to guessing-game clues poetically dispensed through rhyming couplets. --Noe Valley Voice, February 2006Written by Claudia Graziano and illustrated by Michelle Barbera, Meerkat's Safari brings young readers on an exciting safari with an enthusiastically friendly meerkat, to see exotic wild animals such as zebras, flamingos, and monkeys. A two-page spread depicting each animal's footprints precedes the reveal of the animals themselves fluidly illustrated with gorgeous, full-color artwork. As rhyming, read-aloud adventures go, Meerkat's Safari is sure to please. --Midwest Book Review, October 2006Toddlers and young children love animals and guessing games, so Meerkats Safari is a natural winner. Each mini riddle starts with animal tracks and a rhyming clue. Turn the page and the reader learns the identity of the animal and some fun facts.  The descriptions of Meerkat s friends go beyond the usual, to include lesser known trivia. Children enjoy learning and sharing this new knowledge. My daughter loves rubbing cheeks to say goodnight, just like the lions in the book.  The illustrations by Michelle Barbera have a slick, but still charming, hyper-realistic computer-generated animation feel. Purists may take issue with the anthropomorphic activities (a flamingo with a snorkeling mask, for example), but most adults will appreciate the cute and clever visual gags. This first effort by author Claudia Graziano is a welcome addition to our children s library and we look forward to more of Meerkat s Adventures. --Mamanista, October 2008