Wild World of Animal Colors – Laura’s latest book

PreS-Gr 1–Animals not only come in a variety of colors, but also make use of their colors: a chameleon turning yellow, orange, and red when it feels frightened or the guppy fish whose bright tails are used to attract a mate. Colors are part of an animal’s anatomy and its behavioral design for a reason. Salas offers a vivid and easy-to-follow account of the subject that will appeal to the senses of older preschoolers and primary grade readers. The narrative is well organized; Salas concisely enumerates much of the information. The text moves along playfully, relying on intermittent rhyming. Readers will learn that animals use colors for protection, to camouflage, to hunt, and to mate. The high quality and close-up color photographs not only highlight the text, but also draw children’s attention to the specific quality of the animals and their surroundings dominating the scene. These colorful images empower the overall aesthetic of this informational book, enriching the learning experience and inviting readers to keep turning the page. Back matter contains a game to match patterns and colors. VERDICT A vibrant informational picture book that will encourage primary grade readers to learn about the use of colors in animals’ anatomy and behavior.–Kathia Ibacache, Simi Valley Public Library, CA