Reviews
Cute as an Axolotl: Discovering the World's Most Adorable Animals by Jess Keating, David DeGrand
heatherbermingham's review
4.0
I really love that this book features a lot of unusual animals that even my animal-loving students didn't know much - or anything! - about. Each spread has a photograph of the animal, a couple of fun facts, and some basic information - habitat, diet, predators, etc. Perfect for some simple introductory research or assignments or just for fun.
kellyjcm's review
I admit, the main reason I wanted to read this book was to figure out how to pronounce "axolotl". Once that was accomplished, I enjoyed reading all about this quirky animals. As in the other books in the series, the information is well-written, the illustrations provide a humorous take on the animal (which could function mnemonically to help children remember what is distinct about the animal), and I learned a lot about animals not typically on my radar. Z oohed and ahhed over most of the featured animals.
speterson47's review
5.0
A little long as a read aloud, but great information text! Good to use for text features and such cute animals!!! Kids will love to read this one! I hope more are added to this series.
denasquirrel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
jshettel's review against another edition
5.0
I’m a fan of all things Jess Keating, and this may be my favorite book of hers yet! Featuring “cute” members of the animal kingdom, Jess effortlessly teaches about each animal in an interesting and captivating way. Questions at the end challenge readers to think about what makes something “cute.”
teenytinylibrary's review
3.0
I was so into this book until I got to the end. There was a lot of good information about lesser known animals (who just so happen to be cute) - both narrative and informational text with sidebars and pictures. BUT and this is a big but, there is no bibliography or suggestions for further reading. Absolutely none. I'll give this to my animal curious kids, but I like to give them things that will lead them to other books and what not. SIGH.
tessaborst's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
4.5
"Cute as an Axolotl: Discovering the Worlds Most Adorable Animals" by Jess Keating and illustrated by David DeGrand was published in 2018. This book is full of information about different cute animals from around the world. With each page turn you learn about a new cute animal, and learn tons of information about them. Things such as size, diet, habitat, predators, and threats. Along with those facts readers will learn interesting and cool things about each animal. For students who are animal lovers this book is perfect. There are animals that are rare in this book and students would love it. It is a great addition to any classroom library or for research projects. <informational> <cute animals> <amazing>
scostner's review against another edition
4.0
Jess Keating has added a new title to her nonfiction series, The World of Weird Animals. Readers may already be familiar with the entertaining and enlightening Pink Is for Blobfish or What Makes a Monster? titles already in the series. This time out Keating has been busy "Discovering the World's Most Adorable Animals," as the subtitle announces.
The layout of the contents features a full-page photo of the animal, so that readers can get a good look at each cute creature. The facing page has a paragraph describing the animal and some of its characteristics. Below that is a cartoon depiction with a further point of interest or even a warning ("Watch Out- They Bite!" we learn about the quokka). And a sidebar lists the scientific name, size, diet, habitat, and predators or threats to the creature. This makes it easy to browse with a young animal lover who is only interested in the pictures and maybe a fact or two, or for older readers to take a deeper plunge into scientific details.
For elementary school classrooms and libraries that are searching for more books to satisfy their nonfiction readers, this series is a perfect addition. And for those readers who are willing to branch out into fiction with lots of animals in the stories, direct them to the author's My Life Is a Zoo middle grade series. I met Jess in person at NCTE and she is just as much fun as her books!
The layout of the contents features a full-page photo of the animal, so that readers can get a good look at each cute creature. The facing page has a paragraph describing the animal and some of its characteristics. Below that is a cartoon depiction with a further point of interest or even a warning ("Watch Out- They Bite!" we learn about the quokka). And a sidebar lists the scientific name, size, diet, habitat, and predators or threats to the creature. This makes it easy to browse with a young animal lover who is only interested in the pictures and maybe a fact or two, or for older readers to take a deeper plunge into scientific details.
For elementary school classrooms and libraries that are searching for more books to satisfy their nonfiction readers, this series is a perfect addition. And for those readers who are willing to branch out into fiction with lots of animals in the stories, direct them to the author's My Life Is a Zoo middle grade series. I met Jess in person at NCTE and she is just as much fun as her books!
bookbrig's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
The animals pictured in this live up to the title. A quick read with plenty of animal facts!