This series is an interesting investigation of eight different and unusual animals. Each title includes an abundance of information about rare animals that is sure to intrigue readers. Double-page spreads contain a paragraph with facts on one side and a full color captioned picture, diagram, or map on the other. All titles are ideal as a Common Core resource for young children, and the fact that the animals are unconventional and endangered adds to their appeal as research subjects. Overall, this series is a solid addition for any library’s animal book collection. Recommended.

Readers won’t be able to resist this book’s cover photo of the strangely adorable echidna, with its long, bald beak and spiny body. As this entry into the World’s Weirdest Animals series explains, the echidna is one of the only egg-laying mammals in the world. In addition to the abundant color photos, the book has appealingly varied colored fonts and purple patterned background pages, frequent sidebars with quick facts, a page of fast facts, and solid back matter. Great fun for kids who love books about unusual animals.