Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 05/15/2020 *Starred Review* This book is irresistible. A tasseled wobbegong? A bone-eating snot flower worm? Despite their outlandishly implausible names, every one of these 70-plus critters is absolutely real. Two- and three-page spreads introduce each of these creatively named animals, fill in details about their life cycles and habitats, and explain how they got their crazy names. Physical characteristics are important (for example, the headless chicken monster is a sea cucumber that looks like a pink, plucked turkey), and some terms have evolved over time (sarcastic, when first applied to the sarcastic fringehead, meant flesh-tearing). The book also highlights the unusual sense of humor of some scientists who have discovered new species (think of the agra cadabra beetle). The entries cover a surprising amount of information, including introductions to taxonomy and binomial nomenclature, and the back matter includes a glossary, further reading suggestions, notes on conservation, and suggestions for discovering new species, as well as a helpful animal-name generator (the authors suggest bedazzled spitting volcano cow). The plentiful full-color illustrations and photos are especially compelling, and, in addition to giggling and snorting (blue-footed booby! monkeyface prickleback!) readers will learn a great deal. This fun romp will delight animal-lovers and liven up STEM collections. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 09/01/2020 Gr 3–6—As the title implies, this compendium of critters with wacky names provides information about more than 70 animals, representing all walks of the animal kingdom. The introduction discusses the importance of names, both for identification purposes and accuracy. It also covers the difference between scientific names and common ones. The book is organized thematically by name; chapters include "Funny Names," "Delicious Names," and "Magical Names." A single chapter might examine insects, mammals, and reptiles. Entries are two or three pages, include drawings and occasional photographs, and share details about habitat, lifespan, and how the creatures got their unusual names. The writing is accessible, funny, and scientific but never excessively silly. Each entry uses a different color background. The eye-catching layouts make the book a great choice for casual browsing and cover-to-cover reading. End matter includes an extensive glossary, a name generator for readers to create their own amusing names, and notes about animal conservation. VERDICT An engaging resource for animal-loving kids and a strong purchase for most libraries. This one will circulate.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill Sch., Cambridge, MA - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.