WILD ABOUT US!

Various zoo animals celebrate their favorite features, warts and all.

Warty Warthog proudly proclaims: “Can’t be who I’m not. / I am who I am, / and I’ve got what I’ve got.” He may have warts and large tusks protruding from his snout, but he likes them. Rhino loves her wrinkly skin, and Crocodile? You should see his toothy grin! Popping from animal to animal in snappy rhyming couplets (or delightfully slow ones if discussing Tortoise: “He’s…not…meant…to…hurry… / or…scurry,…you…know”), Beaumont shines in rhythmic play. Stevens, a master at animal portraiture, sets every creature against a stark white backdrop and poses them peering directly at readers, almost as if to dare them to say anything disrespectful. This effectively creates an immediate connection: It’s impossible to say that Potbellied Pig is too plump; her vulnerable gaze makes readers realize she has feelings too. Ultimately the animals conclude that they are glad for their differences. After all, wouldn’t it be a shame if everyone at the zoo—or people, too—looked exactly alike?

A gleeful look at self-acceptance (and don’t forget to search for the hidden fly). (Picture book. 4-8)