Welcome to the wonderful world of animal slime, poop, gas, vomit, and gross parenting practices.Setting out with the worthy purpose of wowing and disgusting young readers, Settel dishes up 18 cases of nature at its nastiest-from slimy slugs and nose-picking capuchin monkeys to Komodo dragons, which swing the intestines of their victims around to clear out the poop before chowing down. Along the way, she shows a knack for slipping in facts as likely to intrigue as revolt, such as the many useful purposes mucus serves in our own bodies, how herring use "fart pops" (up to 40 a second) to communicate, and why giraffe tongues are blue. And while scenes of tiny mites crawling into a hummingbird's nose or a Darwin's frog dad spitting out the younglings he's been storing in his mouth may cause a bit of churn in more sensitive stomachs, in general Donovan tones down the gross in her brightly hued animal portraits enough to elicit more cooing than spewing. A long glossary at the end expands on the physical, chemical, and biological processes mentioned in the narrative in unusual detail.A crowd-pleasing way to deliver some substantial (info) dumps. (Informational picture book. 7-11)

Gr 2–6 —Get ready to dive into the "sticky, stinky, and slimy" world of animal adaptations. This fascinating book is packed with intriguing facts about the weird and wonderful ways animals survive and thrive. This book showcases the incredible diversity of animal tricks and traps, from the titular fish farts to a Komodo dragon covering itself in poop. Settel's engaging writing makes complex concepts accessible and entertaining, while Donovan's vibrant digital illustrations bring the gross and amazing facts to life. What sets this volume apart is its ability to balance humor with education, making it an absolute delight for readers of all ages. Whether you're a curious kid or a trivia enthusiast, this book is perfect for anyone looking to impress their friends with random facts or expand their animal knowledge. VERDICT With its unique blend of science, humor, and visual appeal, this is a must-read for anyone curious about the natural world.—Jessica Clark