Arctic Fox: Very Cool! (Uncommon Animals)
While there is certainly no shortage of books about animals for young readers, the Uncommon Animals series manages to profile some fairly undercovered critters. In this case, the focus is on an animal that children are highly unlikely to ever encounter due to the fact that it lives “farther north than any other land mammal.” Easily readable sections detail the bitter natural habitat of the arctic fox and highlight the ways in which the animal is uniquely outfitted to survive such harsh conditions. The text works splendidly with the large, clear photographs on each page that will delight readers—the fox is an irresistibly cute animal—as well as educate them. For instance, the fox’s fur, which changes from brown and gray in the summer to shocking white in the winter, is a fascinating example of natural camouflage. The author is also careful to discuss how climate change could spell trouble for the animal’s future and shows its place—somewhere between lemming and polar bear—in the food chain. Back matter includes a glossary, thin bibliography, and suggestions for further reading. Grades 1-3. --Ian Chipman