Gr 3-5-Lucid texts explore the problem of vanishing wildlife in a series of two-page sections, focusing on small, but key, members of the food chain. In large, easy-to-read print, each title presents basic facts about the animals (e.g., their outstanding physical and behavioral characteristics, natural habitats, diets, etc.) and then outlines the factors involved in their decline. Closing sections briefly describe conservation efforts worldwide and suggest practical ways readers can help. Illustrations of these endangered species-a mix of clear color photographs and drawings-appear on almost every page; most are identified by common names in captions. The first two titles also include diagrams of the animals' life cycle; Insects includes shots of a variety of wildlife habitats. While general introductions to these animals often have short sections on endangered species, such as Martin Schwabacher's Butterflies and Frogs (both Benchmark, 2004), the information is, of necessity, limited. Jen Green's Endangered Butterflies (Benchmark, 1999) covers similar material and provides more detail on physical characteristics; however, the Crabtree book has a greater emphasis on the environmental factors threatening the insects and is more succinctly written. Useful additions to natural-history collections.-Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.