A Jaguar Grows Up

Children's Literature - Barbara L. Talcroft

This "Wild Animals" series introduces readers to the lives of various baby animals from birth to maturity. Young zoologists will learn about physical characteristics, growth and development, and maternal training until the animal is old enough to live on its own. Jaguar cubs are born in South and Central American rain forests; in this case, one cub is spotted and one's black. (Spots exist on dark jaguars as well, but are harder to see on the dark fur.) Big acrylic paintings in browns, yellows, and emerald greens show the cubs playing and fighting while staying close to their mother; an approach by a hostile male jaguar is frightening, but the mother fiercely protects her cubs. Several of the double-page spreads show the cubs, after three months, learning to hunt for fish, a deer (captured by mother), and a monkey who gets away. When the cubs are two years old, they can leave to find mates and become parents themselves. Primary-level readers should have no trouble with the simple, straightforward text. Illustrations are somewhat simplified and overly bright, but there's enough detail to keep young readers moving along while checking the small rectangular sidebars for extra information. A "jaguar diagram" points out physical features of this jungle cat; a small world map locates its habitat. Also included are a short glossary and a bibliography of three jaguar books. Don't rely on the Facthound code number for many jaguar websites; a search reveals three—two very brief, but a fascinating one from the San Diego Zoo.