Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and behavior of the title mammals are the highlights of these slim volumes. Minimal texts touch on habitat, appearance, diet, and offspring, and supply a folk-story answer to a question about each creature (e.g., "How did camels get their humps?" "Why do zebras not have horns?"). Reading list, websites. Ind.

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.

These new books in the Amazing Animals series will attract both beginning and struggling readers. The large, beautiful photos on each spread include vivid shots of animals in action as well as close-ups of their faces. Photo captions consistently add interesting animal facts, and occasional vocabulary words are defined at the bottom of the pages, adding to the clean, appealing layout. In addition to the engaging photos, the text is laid out in a large, easy-to-read font. The text, although made up of simple sentences, conveys plenty of interesting information. In Cheetahs, Riggs discusses different types of the large cats, their habitat, fur and bodies, speed, hunting habits, cubs, and where to see them in the wild and in captivity. She also retells an African story about how cheetahs came to have tear lines on their faces. One page of back matter cites two websites and two books for further reference and includes a short index as well.