My First Book of Funny Animals

Amusing captions adorn pictures of silly-looking animals. Made up entirely of candid animal shots, this board book is content to deliver small chuckles to little ones and adults alike. The photographs wouldn't be out of place in an issue of National Geographic, and the realism may entice older readers, but the youngest ones may not be as amused. Each photo is accompanied by a witty observation. For instance, two prairie dogs standing close together, one seemingly speaking into the other's ear, is glossed: Prairie dogs share a secret. Several of the other captions are equally conceptually complex, and some of the animals do not stand out very well against the backgrounds, skewing this offering toward older toddlers. All the animals are properly identified, so animal enthusiasts will be entertained and learners educated. -Kirkus Reviews Humorous photographs of animals are the focus of this board book, published in association with the National Wildlife Federation. Captions appear with each image, applying more than a little anthropomorphism to the animals' actions while connecting their behavior in unexpected ways. Baby opossums catch a ride, reads one page, as 10 opossum babies cling to a parent; opposite, Fawn wants a ride, too, as a baby deer seems to stare glumly at the opossums on the facing page. It's a quick, lighthearted peek at the behaviors of squirrels, elephants, tigers, pandas, and more. -Publishers Weekly