Starred Review Three-time Pura Belpré honoree Delacre combines two things ldlife science and the alphabet mething hardly uncommon yet executed here with uncommon skill. Though the book is bilingual, its slight emphasis upon Spanish over English is not only appropriate; it should work to spark the curiosity of kids fluent only in the latter. Delacre frames the book as a Washington, D.C., zoologist's search for "the elusive olinguito" in an Ecuadorian cloud forest. Each two-page spread stresses one letter on the left page and the subsequent letter on the right. The two languages are close enough that usually the promoted letter is prominent in both (see "brilla un bosque bordado" versus "blooms a brilliant forest"). When it doesn't, though, it provides an excellent excuse for contrast ("Nubes, niebla, y neblina" versus "Clouds, fog, and mist"). Four-fifths of each page is dominated by Delacre's bright, often pastel depictions of animals positioned so close to the reader it's as if they are right behind safety glass. Keep an eye out for that foxy olinguito and the zoologist, too, who come face-to-face shortly before Delacre closes with fabulous back matter, including the story behind the creature's 2006 discovery and a lovely illustrated glossary to every plant and animal. Everything here is in perfect harmony.

Gr 1-4 Delacre uses a creative AZ format to write a description in verse of a cloud forest, or a moist ecosystem found in tropical areas, in the Andes. The author mentions different animals or plants located here; each page features foliage or creatures related to a different letter of the alphabet. The text is lyrical, and the mixed-media illustrations are vibrant and striking. This book would make a wonderful resource for students who are learning about forest environments or different animal species. Further information about the cloud forest, with an animal and foliage glossary, is appended. VERDICT A great addition to school and public libraries. Melissa Martinez, Pantoja Charter School, PA

Along with many other animals and plants of the Ecuadorian cloud forest, Delacre introduces the olinguito, a raccoon relative discovered in 2013. Alliteration in the parallel Spanish and English texts makes for an engaging (if occasionally tongue-twisting) read: "...brilla un bosque bordado de bromelias... / ...blooms a brilliant forest embroidered with bromeliads..." Delacre's prose and mixed-media illustrations convey this dreamy, quiet world. Bib., glos.