Simon presents information on thirteen animals (mostly mammals, though a bird, amphibian, and reptile are included) and their birth and parenting practices. The descriptions are concise and avoid the sentiment or anthropomorphism so often linked with baby animals. The large color photographs show adult and baby animals interacting but vary in quality of reproduction.

Gr 1-4--Simon spotlights 13 animal babies from a few different continents and both poles. While the focus is on mammals, a bird, a reptile, and an amphibian are included. The full-color photographs are striking and generous, and most often portray the youngster with its mother. The accompanying page of information is written in a simple but lively manner to pique the interest of young readers. The book has a logical flow as animals from similar environments follow one another, and both the text and the photographs provide some glimpses of the diverse habitats in which these creatures live. This is a beautiful browsing book, but it does not include maps, a glossary, or even all the basic facts about each animal. Bruce McMillan's The Baby Zoo (Scholastic, 1992) covers similar ground, but the subjects were photographed in a zoo, not in the wild.--Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, FL