Thursday, June 18, 2009

Review: The Wackiest Wildest Weirdest Animals in the World by Jack Hanna


Wow, this is such a fun and informative book! Mr. Hanna, in his years of experience documenting wild life, has chosen 30 animals that he considers to be wacky, wild and weird.
Each page features a large picture plus a smaller inset of close up features of that animal. Every page also includes what the animal eats, where they live and how big they get. Part of the page is devoted to the very facts that make the animal weird, wacky or wild.

One of the most interesting pages to me was the emperor penguin with three good close up pictures. Did you know that the emperor penguin can stay underwater for up to 20 minutes at a time while searching for food? They can withstand temperatures of -75 degrees F. This is one aptly named penguin; emperors grow to 4 feet tall and can weigh up to 85 pounds. That is one impressive and truly magnificent animal!

Another page I found most interesting was about the octopus. Who knew an octopus had 3 hearts? Or that an octopus can lay more than 200,000 eggs at a time? Wow, that's a lot of potential babies but in actuality, only a few survive to be adults.

There are 28 more animals that round out this fascinating book.This one may be geared towards kids, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The pictures are extremely colorful and detailed. I just loved the close up insets. At the end of the book is a comprehensive glossary . A lot of candidates in that glossary to use in Wondrous Words Wednesday, that's for sure! Included with the book is a DVD of bloopers and behind the scenes shots from Mr. Hanna's TV show.

About the book : Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 9, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400311403
ISBN-13: 978-1400311408
Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.4 x 0.5 inches

Author's website can be found here.

A big thank you to Thomas Nelson for a copy of this teriffic book. 4****

8 comments:

  1. I would enjoy that to. I love reading about animals.

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  2. I know this is a kids' book, but I find it really appealing since I love Jack Hanna's appearances on TV.

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  3. looks like something I need to pick up for the grandkids. thanks for the tip

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  4. Yeah, I've always loved Hanna's appearances on Letterman! Nothing like mass confusion involving many animals...

    L. Diane Wolfe
    www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
    www.spunkonastick.net
    www.thecircleoffriends.net

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  5. I haven't seen Jack Hanna in a long time. This sounds like a delightful book! Nice review, Kaye.

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  6. This is so cool! I love Jack Hanna, he has such a great personality and his caring for animals shines right through. And it comes with a DVD of bloopers? Such fun!

    Carey

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  7. I did know that! but I suspect I have an edge living in a country with penguins we are more aware of them thats for sure.

    Penguins as a whole are just an amazing breed (as Im sure you are more then aware).

    I dont mind Jack Hanna on tv so might keep an eye out for this book to give to one of my nephews for their birthdays (when they are old enough. 2 &1 years old might be pushing it. I know I can get it and hang on to it for them LOL).

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