Flamingos

Children's Literature

This entry in the "Wild Wild World" series contains an animal overview, interesting facts subcategorized by headings of double-page spreads (e.g., "Cleaning and Preening," "Strong Fliers," or "Nesting"), and many photographs arranged artistically or sequentially to illustrate a concept. While the photographs lack captions, they surround and face the short paragraphs of text that appear on each page. For instance, on a page discussing cleaning and preening, seven close-ups show a variety of flamingoes twisting and turning their wings and beaks and feet to get the job done. While a child does not have to read much text or go far to discover what the photographs portray, by not using captions the series misses the chance to educate children as to how to "read" the photos more deeply or to confirm what we think is being pictured. The brief three-word glossary and no index make this an additional purchase for most libraries. But families could read it as an introduction to the topic that leads to research in more completely realized texts. 2003, Blackbirch Press/Gale Group, Ages 7 to 11.
—Susan Hepler, Ph.D.