Hello, I'm a Quokka (Meet the Wild Things, Book 3)

June 1, 2024
Preschool-Grade 3 What's a quokka? A descriptive subtitle might have read, "The Most Adorable Little Animal You've Never Seen." A quokka's mouth naturally turns upward at the corners, creating what humans perceive as a smile. Most quokkas today live on Rottnest Island, off Australia's west coast. Originally, they lived throughout the continent, but after Europeans introduced foxes, the quokkas were unable to survive there. Though considerably smaller than its nearest relatives, the kangaroo and the wallaby, the quokka hops about on its strong back legs and the females have a pouch in front, where their baby, called a joey, lives for its first six months. Quokkas are nocturnal, and they eat mainly plants. In recent years, increasingly strong wildfires have destroyed much of their habitat. Biologists are working to protect quokkas by removing non-native predators and observing the quokkas' movements. This appealing volume is from the Roccos' Meet the Wild Things series, which features other endearing and, sadly, endangered animals from around the world. A simply written, attractively illustrated, and informative introduction to a little-known but utterly charming animal.

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October 4, 2024

K-Gr 2-First-person narratives from lovable endangered species encourage children to learn more. In each book, an animal introduces itself in a conversational way-the quokka's fun energetic speech is especially endearing-and shares facts about its species. To keep readers engaged, each animal poses questions to children, such as the sloth asking, "How often do you poop?" or "Can you swim?" Each narrative also explains the dangers the animals face and what people are doing to help them. The mostly full-page illustrations are lovely, especially the perspective from the ground looking up into the sunlit leaves surrounding the sloth. Some readers might wish there were more detailed or close-up drawings of features mentioned (e.g., the sloth's claws or the pangolin's scales), or concrete examples of how kids can help. There are no works cited aside from acknowledgements at the end when the author and illustrator mention people who helped them. End notes include additional information about the species and why they're endangered. VERDICT Warm presentations of vulnerable species will appeal to young animal lovers in these read alouds.-Elissa Cooper

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2024
A breezy introduction to the species narrated by a quokka (relative of kangaroos and wallabies). Information covered includes diet, behaviors, threats, and habitat. Realistic illustrations and engaging questions will draw readers into the book. Detailed back matter provides more information and discusses why the species is endangered.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)