Look Again: Secrets of Animal Camouflage, by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Raincoast. 2019. $23.99 ages

"Some animals sip flower
nectar. Others prey on creatures
that are attracted to blossoming
plants. And a few fool their
enemies by concealing themselves
among the petals.

The high-casqued chameleon 
can alter its color to match its 
environment. This lizard also 
changes color to send messages 
to other chameleons." 

I will never miss telling you about new books from Steve Jenkins and his wife, Robin Page. I think they do a brilliant job of engaging and educating young children with their beautifully designed science books.

Signature collage artrwork graces the pages of this book which shows children how animals use camouflage to ensure safety and a longer life for themselves. They live in diverse habitats, and use their best instincts to assure that they are carefully hidden from their natural predators. Coral reefs and kelp forests, trees, flowers, leaves and plants, the snowy Arctic, leaves and vines, and rocks provide the protection these 36 creatures need.

Each environment is described in two short paragraphs; one depicts the value found in each, the next tells how the animals find safety there. On the first of the two double page spreads, the camouflaged animals are placed within the habitat shown. On the second spread, they are singled out in images that help young readers go back and make sure they can see them. A thumbnail sketch placed inside a circle is accompanied by a clear caption for the carefully reproduced animals who find safety there. As we have come to expect, the animals' sizes are placed in perspective to a human image. This is done with care and is always of interest to those who read these books - child or adult.

Back matter is of equal importance, offering further information about each of the creatures included.

"The high-casqued chameleon 
dwells in the forests of eastern Africa.
It gets its name from the tall helmet-like
crest, or casque, on its head. This
lizard is about six inches (15 centimeters)
long, and it can extend its tongue farther
than its body length. It uses this long,
sticky tongue to snag insects and spiders."

Readers will also find a list of books for further reading, and Internet resources and search terms for finding out more than they have already learned.