Any collection of nature-themed children’s literature is incomplete without at least a couple books by Jim Arnosky. His impressive collection of non-fiction books reveal an eye for detail in his observations, research, and utterly incredible illustrations. In Tooth & Claw: The Wild World of Big Predators, his focus is strictly on ferocious, carnivorous animals that are as interesting as they are terrifying.
Arnosky goes well beyond simply disseminating facts in his books, and this latest is no exception. Yes, there are many pieces of information presented here for eleven different predators, but there is a storytelling tone to the text, rather than just the cold, hard facts. By sharing his own personal experiences, Arnosky brings the animals to life, and not only with his intricately detailed sketches and paintings. His love for the natural world comes through with every page as he shows a deep respect for the world of these big animals.
To add even more visual interest, four fold-out pages are featured, with sweeping illustrations drawing the eye to the African lion, cheetah, grizzly bear, and brown bear. Other animals included here are the African leopard, American lion, jaguar, polar bear, black bear, and gray wolf, and additional sections give more specific information about the lives of lion prides and wolf packs, as well.
This is the type of non-fiction children’s literature that can appeal to kids across many age groups. Young children may be absolutely enthralled by the life-like illustrations, while a much older child will be attracted to the wealth of knowledge available in its pages. This is exactly the type of book that I want to have available for my children to read on their own and to use as a reference when needed.