INTERVIEW WITH A TIGER

Imagined interviews with 10 wild animals reveal more than just the facts.

With the help of an ingenious invention and a large dose of imagination, Seed talks with animals from all over the world about their lives. The premise that these are his studio guests may draw readers into this mix of fact and fancy. Bengal tiger, wolf, giant anteater, honey badger, jaguar, polar bear, lion, giant armadillo, snow leopard, and three-toed sloth each take their turn to answer the usual sorts of questions, about their looks, their favorite foods and eating habits, and their families and friends, as well as some surprising ones. Much humor comes from the different personalities reflected in their replies: The wolf is ill-tempered; the snow leopard is erudite and must keep rephrasing his answers for the interviewer’s understanding; the sloth can’t stop cracking jokes. Illustrator East’s cheerful cartoon creatures add to the fun. The giant anteater poses like a media star, licking up termites with his superlong, spit-covered tongue. “I know, I’m beautiful, aren’t I?” The honey badger is impressively fierce (though, sadly, the “bees’ nest” supposedly depicted is really a wasps’ nest). The polar bear balances precariously on bits of disappearing ice. Most of these animals state that habitat-destroying humans are a major problem. This English import ends with a reminder to readers that some of these “guests” are endangered, suggesting a variety of ways to help. A final quiz will cement a few fast facts.

Entertaining and modestly enlightening.