The Nature Girls

PreS-Gr 1—The youngsters from The Weather Girls return for another delightful romp. Clothed in matching (often lemon yellow), activity-related ensembles, the 16 girls (introduced by name on the first spread) have diverse skin tones and hair (varying in color, style, and texture). While the first book focused on the seasons, this offering has the group leaving behind their shared abode to investigate five different biomes (briefly introduced in an appended note). Rhyming text and intricate, color-splashed cartoon artwork show the girls scuba diving with dolphins and colorful fish, aboard a camel for a "bumpy ride" across the desert (one smiling youngster dangles from their mount's tail), observing wildlife on a safari in the grasslands, mushing across the tundra via dogsled, marveling at the diversity of life in a forest, and more. The handsomely composed illustrations buzz with action and warmth, and detail-minded readers will enjoy tracing the specific activities of each girl through the changing environments. No adults are depicted, keeping attention focused tightly on the young adventurers.