The Yard Critters Too

K-Gr 3—In this alluringly oversize picture/poetry book, Held once again turns his focus to creatures that might be found in a backyard setting. Highlighting animals and bugs that run the spectrum from common ladybugs, sparrows, and mice to more unusual coyotes, porcupines, and shrews, he gives each subject its own poem. "Tick's an anesthesiologist,/secreting in her spit/a numbing agent/so you can't feel her bite." Gorgeous collage illustrations complement the selections perfectly and provide a framework for understanding how the critters coexist. A "Discover Your Neighbors" section underscores the educational purpose of the poems, encouraging children to answer thought-provoking questions, such as, "If you were a wild animal, which one would you be? And why?" While the slant rhyme and frequently esoteric imagery might not appeal to all children, those with a penchant for quirky poetry will have their curiosity about nature sparked and their eyes and ears delighted. In addition, Held's no-holds-barred approach to writing for kids offers opportunities to learn vocabulary that they might not read in other picture books.—Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY