Heartbeat

K-Gr 4–This science title uses poetic verse to describe the heartbeats of several different animals. Each animal, including the pygmy shrew, the giraffe, the octopus, and the python, receives a two-page spread with a lyrical verse listing the number of times the animal’s heart beats per minute. Additionally, the text provides two small pieces of information about the spotlighted animal’s heart, life, or habits. Over the course of several profiles, this approach feels repetitive rather than informative. The final spread culminates in a verse explanation of the human heart followed by a prose explanation of how the heart works. A labeled illustration of a human heart allows readers to visualize the information. An author’s note reveals the inspiration behind the book; resources feature books for children and adults.