Gr 4-6-The gross and violent side of animal life takes center stage in this series. Prehistoric Predator: Megalodon goes in-depth on a single species, while the other three titles each highlight five or six different examples with common behaviors. The writing tone embraces the "awful" theme of the series, highlighting features like slime, blood, and excrement. Cartoon word balloons with interjections like "Wow!" and "Oooh" add to the lighthearted tone. There's also plenty of straightforward scientific data presented in two or three text boxes per spread. Most photographs depict the animals in the wild, sometimes interacting with humans. Close-up images, like one showing the mouthparts of a bot fly larva, are well-chosen and useful. Occasional maps and diagrams round out the generally engaging visual presentation. VERDICT Especially appealing to kids drawn to the disgusting (but interesting) elements of animal life.--School Library Journal "https: //www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/gross-and-intriguing-animals-series-nonfiction" (4/1/2025 12:00:00 AM)