Look at Me

By Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Published June 19, 2018

Why we chose this book:
We love learning about animals! A book showcasing how animals attract attention attracted my attention, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt provided a review copy.

Mom's Review

A portrayal of various creatures with noteworthy appearances.

"This was awesome!" That's what T told me when we finished reading, and I concur. Every two-page spread features a few eye-catching animals and short explanation of their appearances. Spoiler alert: It's to attract a mate or scare away a predator. The amount of text and volume of information presented on each page was just right for T, and I learned a lot too. In fact, I only recognized a handful of the animals featured, and I like to think of myself as someone who knows a lot of different animals. This was a welcome change from the horse-parrot-rhino lineup I frequently see.

Not only were the illustrations a big hit with T, vocabulary and content were comprehensible. I did have to explain what mating is though. We read this in one sitting the first time, but it is also easy to page through and read about an animal here or there. Given our recent interest in frogs, I expect to be returning to that page frequently. (We found a frog in our backyard, hiding in T's toy bucket.) If you want to check out some animals you might not usually come across, or if your kiddo likes animal fact books, this is an excellent option. My thought after closing the book the first time: This one's a winner!

Son's Review
(age 3)

While reading: 
Son: What is that cute little creature? I think he is cute. I think he would be a good pet, but I would just pick the pricks out of him.
(It's a pufferfish.)

Mom: Those are a part of his body. You can't take them off, like I can't take your fingers off. But why are his prickers out?

Son: For getting away an animal.
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Son: What is a mating dance?

Mom: It's when the bird dances or moves specially to show that it wants to make bird babies with another bird.

Son: What's a duet?

Mom: It's two dancers together. So these birds dance together.
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Son: That's a yellow poison dart frog. I like the red one and the blue one. I like these ones [slugs] because they look like monsters. I like this one and this one and this one.
(T was pointing first to the poison dart frogs, then to each one of the poison slugs.)
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Mom: How would you feel if that bug launched itself up in the air, so bright red?

Son: Not surprised. No. I'd just think that was interesting. If I was a predator I wouldn't be surprised.
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Son: Does that creature have two eyes?

Mom: Those are fake eyes. Let's read about it.

Son, after reading a bit further: Why does it have fake eyes?

Mom: So this is it's whole body, right? But what if this were only the head? Then the whole body would be a lot bigger. What would a predator think if he saw this "head"?

Son: He wouldn't want to eat it because it's too big.
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After reading:
Mom: Which was your favorite animal?

Son: The one that looked like a monster. Does this look like a monster to you?

Mom: It kinda does with its fangs. It's called a mandrill. What would you do if you saw one?

Son: I'd run, run, run, run home. If I saw a monster I'd run fast.

Mom: Would you like to see any of these animals in real life?

Son: Yes I would want to see...what's this one doing?

Mom: Dancing.

Son: I like the ones that dance! And I like the mandrill.

The frog we found. It's a wood frog. Not as colorful
as a poison dart frog, but very exciting to find!