For each animal, flat, declarative prose describes various species and markings and tells how the animals survive in the wild. Although the text is occasionally unclear on minor points, the short sentences, small text blocks, large type, and elementary design with a single color photo on each page make them suitable for beginning readers. There are eight other new books in this series. Websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Buddy Books: Animal Kingdom titles: Baboons, Giraffes, Humpback Whales, Tigers, and Zebras.]

MURRAY, Julie . Elephants . ISBN 978-1-61783-218-5 ; ISBN 978-1-61478-473-9 . LC 2011027844. MURRAY, Julie . Giraffes . ISBN 978-1-61783-219-2 ; ISBN 978-1-61478-474-6 . LC 2011027845. MURRAY, Julie . Hippopotamuses . ISBN 978-1-61783-220-8 ; ISBN 978-1-61478-475-3 . LC 2011031041. MURRAY, Julie . Lions . ISBN 978-1-61783-221-5 ; ISBN 978-1-61478-476-0 . LC 2011028955. MURRAY, Julie . Zebras . ISBN 978-1-61783-222-2 ; ISBN 978-1-61478-477-7 . LC 2011028361. ea vol: 32p. (African Animals Series). maps. photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. ABDO . 2012. PLB $28.50; ebook $28.50. Gr 2-3 Despite extensive use of boilerplate headers and text, these profiles offer clear overviews of each animal's physical features, habits, habitats, and herd or social structures. The color photographs are a mix of reasonably sharp close ups and distance portraits shot in the wild. Each volume ends with a page of interesting facts, e.g., "a lion's roar is so loud it can be heard five miles (8 km) away!" and "many scientists believe that zebras can see in the dark as well as owls!" However, though the informational content is adequate and the presentation visually appealing, there is little that distinguishes these books from the many similar surveys already available.