School Library Journal Review

Gr 3-4-Sixteen questions probe the ickier facets of nature in this olio: "Did you know- That bald eagles- eat rotting, dead fish?-hoary marmots-don't poop all winter long?-turkey vultures-poop on their very own legs?" Yup. The authors explore some interesting-if indelicate-facts about several birds and mammals, two invertebrates, one fish, and a reptile. After each question (and its "Eeewww!!" response), they explain why the behavior is not only OK, but beneficial. A section with further facts about the featured creatures and a recipe for "Scat Cookies" (the poop factor strikes again!) are included. Realistic full-color illustrations (and some soft, black-and-white sketches) accompany the whole. Good for browsing, and surefire for the lovers of gross-out factoids.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.