Running Wild: Awesome Animals in Motion. Written by Galadriel Watson and illustrated by Samantha Dixon. Annick Press, 2020. $19.95 ages 8 and up

"Because kangaroo hopping is so effective, it was one of the inspirations that led to prosthetic legs for runners and other athletes. Prosthetic legs and feet that are made to look like real legs and feet don’t provide any energy to get the person moving. By mimicking the springy tendons of kangaroos and other animals - and ditching the true-to-life look – prosthetics can now help athletes generate ... "

Lucky kids today who get to see exemplary nonfiction at every turn. There are many valuable and comprehensive books being written to help readers see the role that animals play in scientific discovery. Mention physics or biomechanics and, I swear, my brain shuts down. But, show me those sciences in respect to the way animals move, and I have something to hang on to help me understand.

Following a beneficial and easily accessible introduction, the author follows up with six chapters that each focus on one aspect of movements that we see in animals. The chapters are titled Land Crossings, Keeping a Low Profile, Going Up!, Staying Sky-High, No Sinking Allowed, and Underwater Experts. The movements featured are: walking, running, and hopping; crawling; climbing, swinging, and jumping; gliding, flapping, and hovering; rowing, walking on water, and staying buoyant; and undulating, using hydrofoils, and shooting with jet propulsion. Quite the collection of ways in which animals get from place to place.

Four major forces (gravity, lift, drag, and thrust) affect how animals move on land and in water, and they must deal with them.

"In the following pages, you'll learn how animals manage
to fight - and use - these forces to travel, along with unique
methods and super-well-adapted body parts."

In easy-to-follow text, accompanied by engaging artwork, children will learn how animals' movements compare to the simple machines we consistently use to make work easier. In reading this book, I was able to put some scientific principles to work in my own head. Thankfully, the text is also meaningful for adults! Each spread is focused on just one of the movements introduced in each chapter. Carefully researched and with a design that is appealing and entertaining, the author presents variety in ways of looking at nonfiction and gleaning pertinent information for all readers.

Back matter invites a closer look at the animals seen in our own backyards and communities. The advice given is to spend time really noticing how the ways they move are different. A list of select sources and an index are also included.

"Keep wondering ... keep watching ... keep learning!"