The pithy text of this entry in the Rookie Star: Extraordinary Animals series (4 titles) flows almost as fast as the animals it describes. Herrington covers several different types of speed, including "Fastest Fliers and Swimmers," "Fastest Runners and Jumpers," and "Fastest Attackers." Each spread presents a different animal, occasionally featuring a second critter that moves similarly in a sidebar. Familiar creatures, such as cheetahs and chameleons, zip through the pages, but some unexpected animals (sailfish, Brazilian free-tailed bats) make appearances as well. Thanks to a well-edited mix of introductory, general, and specific information, the text never becomes choppy. The excellent nature photos, like the text, are focused and dramatic, and captions often add interesting information. This book provides readers with the excitement of both speed and learning.