Cute Animals That Could Kill You Dead

Gr 3-5–A staggering number of animals share the world with humans, and some of the cutest creatures are more dangerous than they appear. Young readers are introduced to several of the most adorable villains in the animal kingdom. Each spread features a specific creature, and a plethora of information about that animal is provided. From favorite foods and scientific names to conservation level and habitat, important facts about each featured animal appear in a call-out box. Additionally, a stretch of text details exactly what makes each animal so dangerous. Filled with puns and jokes, the narrative is engaging and entertaining for confident elementary school readers. Brief lines of imagined dialogue incorporate even more humor into the book. Because there is no pronunciation guide or back matter, however, readers must either be familiar with the more challenging vocabulary used within the text or have a trusted caregiver nearby to aid in comprehension. The book primarily showcases illustrated representations of the creatures discussed within, and this design helps to amplify both the animal’s level of cuteness and its more vicious side. Colorful endpapers give readers a preview of the characters in the book, and a spread of photographs at the end shows the featured animals in real life.