These charming books in the In My Backyard series help readers get up close and personal with several common types of small North American wildlife. Large color photos capture the essence of each animal while providing a sense of intimacy and wonder at the same time. Each book begins with an action-sequence introduction, as if the reader is himself or herself actually discovering the backyard animal. The main text is simple but appealing and informative, including a good mix of basic information and fun facts about each animal. Icons at the top of each text page give a clue to its contents. Each book concludes with an activity intended to help readers synthesize some of the information in a creative way. The Robins exercise involves listening to, recording, and attempting to interpret birdsongs. Overall, these books will encourage children and even adults to observe local wildlife with a more sophisticated, understanding eye.

A sometimes stilted main text offers basic information about robins' birth, growth, habitat, food, and predators. With text, a small photo, and a set-off individual fact on one page and a crisp full-page photo on the facing page, each spread's layout is clean and inviting. A songbird listening activity is included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.