Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Vignettes about lions, jaguars, tigers, pumas, and other predator cats blend science and exciting narratives.The dangerous and fascinating creatures that make up the Felidae family each get the spotlight in this picture book from wildlife ecologist Williams. Through stories that unfold each hour over the course of a day, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Williams drops facts about various types of large cat within satisfying scenes. A smart two-page spread introduces the book by explaining which cats belong to the Panthera and Puma branches of the cat family tree, how they are related to domestic cats, and which cat is no longer with us. (Spoiler: The saber-toothed tiger went extinct 10,000 years ago.) The incredible speed of a cheetah, the climbing skills of a black panther, and the stealthy stalking techniques of the puma-which yowls and screeches because it can't roar-aren't just listed as dry facts. They are part of a set of stories that show how these cats interact with environments all over the world and with creatures such as African elephants, black caimans, and spotted hyenas. In between the scenes are more detailed two-page spreads covering camouflage, where cats are found in the wild across the world, their relative sizes, and what biological features make them jump high, chomp strongly, and run at high speeds. Throughout, Prabhat's graceful art makes vivid use of color as it depicts cats in moments of intense action but stops short of including blood or gore in hunting scenes. (This book was reviewed digitally.)A carefully constructed, absolutely engaging primer on fierce cats in the wild. (glossary, index) (Picture book. 6-8)

ALA Booklist (Fri May 27 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Books in the A Day in the Life series (3 titles) tell of several different animals' activities and characteristics within the framework of a single day. Short sections of narrative, which follow particular creatures at a certain time, are bolstered by factual sections that comment on topics such as the animals' senses, special abilities, and notable physical attributes. To create dramatic tension, the writing sometimes plays up the creatures' predatory actions, but it discusses their other activities and physical characteristics as well. In the 5:00 p.m. section of Big Cats, a tiger tracks another by scent, then realizes that she is his sister. They touch noses in recognition before going their separate ways. From action scenes to tidbits of intriguing information to paragraphs of explanation, the text has plenty to offer animal lovers. Varied in layout, these fully illustrated books feature vibrant, stylized artwork with distinctive palettes. An attractive series for kids intrigued by animals in the wild.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Vignettes about lions, jaguars, tigers, pumas, and other predator cats blend science and exciting narratives.The dangerous and fascinating creatures that make up the Felidae family each get the spotlight in this picture book from wildlife ecologist Williams. Through stories that unfold each hour over the course of a day, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Williams drops facts about various types of large cat within satisfying scenes. A smart two-page spread introduces the book by explaining which cats belong to the Panthera and Puma branches of the cat family tree, how they are related to domestic cats, and which cat is no longer with us. (Spoiler: The saber-toothed tiger went extinct 10,000 years ago.) The incredible speed of a cheetah, the climbing skills of a black panther, and the stealthy stalking techniques of the puma-which yowls and screeches because it can't roar-aren't just listed as dry facts. They are part of a set of stories that show how these cats interact with environments all over the world and with creatures such as African elephants, black caimans, and spotted hyenas. In between the scenes are more detailed two-page spreads covering camouflage, where cats are found in the wild across the world, their relative sizes, and what biological features make them jump high, chomp strongly, and run at high speeds. Throughout, Prabhat's graceful art makes vivid use of color as it depicts cats in moments of intense action but stops short of including blood or gore in hunting scenes. (This book was reviewed digitally.)A carefully constructed, absolutely engaging primer on fierce cats in the wild. (glossary, index) (Picture book. 6-8)