MACHESKE, Felicia . Big and Blubbery . ISBN 9781634707190 ; ISBN 9781634707497 ; ISBN 9781634707640 . MACHESKE, Felicia . Blue and Bumpy . ISBN 9781634707176 ; ISBN 9781634707473 ; ISBN 9781634707626 . MACHESKE, Felicia . Bright and Beautiful . ISBN 9781634707213 ; ISBN 9781634707510 ; ISBN 9781634707664 . MACHESKE, Felicia . Flying Flippers . ISBN 9781634707169 ; ISBN 9781634707466 ; ISBN 9781634707619 . MACHESKE, Felicia . Hairy Hunter . ISBN 9781634707220 ; ISBN 9781634707527 ; ISBN 9781634707671 . MACHESKE, Felicia . Lanky Legs . ISBN 9781634707206 ; ISBN 9781634707503 ; ISBN 9781634707657 . MACHESKE, Felicia . Quick and Quiet . ISBN 9781634707152 ; ISBN 9781634707459 ; ISBN 9781634707602 . ea vol: 24p. (Guess What). glossary. index. photos. Cherry Lake . 2016. lib. ed. $19.95. pap. $8.95. ebk. $30.95. PreS-Gr 2 This series takes a follow-the-clues approach to help early readers learn to use species traits in order to confidently identify animals. The traits or "clues" start off vague ("I have more eyes than you") and increasingly become more species specific ("I use silk to line my nest"). Each clue is paired with a photo that specifically corresponds to it (for instance, a close-up of a tarantula creating a nest). The final reveal comes at the end of each book, along with an "About" section that further defines some of the hints, occasionally using scientific terminology such as species, migrate , and nymph . VERDICT This series is sure to keep the interest of children.

The newest entries in the Guess What series continue to help young children explore characteristics of animals in their natural habitats. Each offers eight simple clues with color stock photos that zoom in on parts of the featured animal (eyes, markings, flippers, legs, etc.) or its environment, concluding with the question, "Do you know what I am?" Readers can generally make a good guess (at least get the broad category of the animal), and a full view of the animal is paired with the answer. Awesome Arms begins with an intriguing close-up photo of an octopus' large eye and the clue, "I have good eyesight," before revealing that it can also camouflage itself and squirt ink. Though other animal series for this age group offer more information, children will be engaged by the photos and interactive format, which concludes with five facts about each animal.