ALA Booklist
(Sun Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)
Though people of all ages love looking at baby animals, this ZooBorns title targets the youngest set by using adorable photos of baby animals from zoos around the globe to introduce the concepts of colors and patterns. Many of the 17 vulnerable and endangered species will be familiar, such as the giraffe and tiger babies, while a few lesser-known animals, like the tamarin or tapir, may be new to children; but all the baby animals are sure to delight readers of any age. Double-page spreads consist of a high-quality, full-page photograph of the animal and two to four sentences of large text on the facing page. The text includes a salutation to the animal or set of animals, a physical description, and some basic information on the creature(s). Color and pattern words are highlighted and presented in an even larger font. For instance, Orys, a baby rhino, has "bumpy gray" skin that protects him from sunburn. Concluding pages provide more details on the animals, including their home zoo and conservation status.
Horn Book
(Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)
Another welcome concept book (1-2-3 ZooBorns!; ABC ZooBorns!) starring irresistible baby zoo animals. Here, each spread introduces an animal with a photo and playful text about its color and/or pattern: "Hi, ring-tailed lemur twins! Look at those long striped tails." For slightly older kids, the critters are identified and described at the end, along with information about their conservation status and zoo home.
Kirkus Reviews
Newborn animals in zoos and aquariums across the world are welcomed in this photographic exhibit meant to draw attention to the important conservation role these organizations maintain for many endangered species. A brief greeting introduces each new arrival featured across the gutter in a bold, close-up color photograph; it's followed by a quick review that asks children to specifically note the coloring, pattern, and texture of the animal. "Hello, Orys! Though Orys is tiny compared to his mother, this Indian rhinoceros tyke weighed an impressive 150 pounds a few days after birth. See his thick bumpy gray skin? It helps protect him from sunburn and insect bites." Some animals will be familiar, such as the giraffe calf or the cheetah cub. All are adorable and intriguing, even the diamondback terrapins, while some are especially eye-catching, such as the golden lion tamarins or the baby langur. Seventeen animals are included, giving children a fair survey of species. An addendum succinctly provides more information for each, including the species, the particular zoo or aquarium each baby is housed in, the animal's endangered status, and a few key facts. A striking, beautiful, and clearly focused bundle of cute. (Informational picture book. 4-8)