The American Alligator

Children's Literature

The book begins with a very close photograph of the American alligator. He almost seems to be smiling. The following page contains a complete picture of the alligator, with a diagram of the physical characteristics that an alligator has in order to survive. In this series on endangered wildlife young children can learn about species that were nearly extinct. Each book contains a good table of contents, four chapters about the specific animal, an index, a bibliography, and a list of organizations to contact to learn more about the animal. This particular book describes the alligator, explains why it was endangered, and then explains what is currently happening to help the alligator recover. The photographs are wonderful, and do a good job of capturing the American alligator in the wild. The maps in the book are also easily read, so that young children will be able to understand where these animals can be found. This is a volume in the "Returning Wildlife" series. 2004, KidHaven Press, Ages 8 to 12.
—Nicole Peterson