Where Snow Leopard Prowls: Wild Animals of Tibet

Gr 2–5—This brightly colored peek into the magnificent Tibetan Plateau could have been an awesome showcase of rugged peaks and hardy animals who survive on the highest and largest expanse of elevated land on Earth, but the childlike drawings and jumpy layout distract from the facts about habitat, rearing of young, food source, and behavior. The text is lively and full of unusual, surprising facts. While this information is great fodder for reports, it is hard to get a sense of how the animals live in this environment, as they are mostly face-only paintings placed on a tan background. Illustrations of grass help ground the animals, though the creatures' unbending eye contact is unsettling. A final spread depicts all 13 animals in a harmonious full bleed that is more reminiscent of Disney than National Geographic. However, this title should spark the interest of any animal lover. It includes rarely seen images of the Moon Bear, Kiang, Chiru, and Himalayan Tahr. The text includes details about protecting this fragile habitat and engaging information about how the denizens live and survive with each other in their harsh home. Layout and content vary greatly among animals, so report writers may want to supplement with additional resources.—Leila Sterman, Montana State University Library, Bozeman