Hidden Creature Features

by Jane Park

Some animal features are easy to see―long tails, large wings, patterned fur, or sharp beaks. But look closer―you might be surprised by what you find! A penguin’s sharp beak hides a textured tongue that helps it grip fish. A red-eyed tree frog has a golden eyelid that covers its eyes so it can see predators while it sleeps. A platypus fends off predators with a venomous spur. Rhyming text and eye-catching photos offer an up-close look at lots of fascinating hidden creature features!

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Animals, Photography, Science, Childrens

32 pages, Library Binding

Published March 7, 2023

Reviews

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Lerner Publishing for the ARC of this!

What cool animal adaptations and images in this book! I liked the rhyme scheme but it sometimes felt a little clunky. My 6 year old enjoyed seeing all the animals!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool nonfiction picture book about animal adaptations that aren’t immediately noticeable. The photos in the book were amazing and the information given was written in an extremely kindergarten-friendly way. My class was really into it!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids love animals and I’m always eyeing a good animal book that is unique.. we found a gem with this book that stays on my daughter’s nightstand and she has absorbed almost all of the facts and details from this fun book. My son loves to look at the pictures which are vivid and feature animals that we really didn’t know much about prior to this book. And as a parent I enjoy this book, which I can’t say for all kids books and makes it a family book we will enjoy for years to come.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hidden Creature Features by Jane Park is a nonfiction picturebook currently scheduled for release on March 7 2023. Some animal features are easy to see—long tails, large wings, patterned fur, or sharp beaks. But look closer—you might be surprised by what you find! A penguin’s sharp beak hides a textured tongue that helps it grip fish. A red-eyed tree frog has a golden eyelid that covers its eyes so it can see predators while it sleeps. A platypus fends off predators with a venomous spur. Rhyming text and eye-catching photos offer an up-close look at lots of fascinating hidden creature features!

Hidden Creature Features features some fantastic close up images of animals along with facts that detail hidden adaptations that they have to help them survive. I liked the variety of creatures shown, and the different adaptations that were shared. I knew some of the information, but the book still taught me a few things. For instance, I never knew that the pacu fish's teeth looked like that, and while I knew about the platypus's poisonous spur I did not know that it was only active during mating season. I love that the book includes a glossary and recommendations for further reading. I think this book would be a great addition to personal collections for those with children that love to learn about animals. I also think that this would be a valuable addition to public, school, ad classroom libraries.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

The frog really catches the eye on the cover of the book while the title promises to show something that the reader hasn't seen before. As such I couldn't pass-up the opportunity to give this book a try, especially as I enjoy informative animal books that I can recommend to children who I know will enjoy them.

Hidden Creature Features is a book that explores some of the adaptations of a few animals while it seems to really focus more on animals that children aren't normally introduced to such as the pacu, the colugo and the sarcastic fringehead while also including other animals that children are used to. As such this makes for quite a nice and balanced cast.

The book although written for really young children can also be used for older elementary age children. Each entry starts off with a little rhyme that introduces the adaptation before revealing the animal itself. From there each entry has a detailed paragraph that provides the reader with more information about the animal itself.

Paired with brightly colored photographs of these animals the reader will find a nice book to add to any animal or nature library geared towards younger audiences.

**I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounding up to 5 stars, the photo quality is exceptional.

This Hidden Creature Features is a childrens book, only 36 pages or so. The book only features about a dozen creatues, but several photos/pages per creature. Which really does give you a better sense of the "creature" than a lot of books.

I had no idea how interesting a penguin's tongue looks.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review Hidden Creature Features in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to author Jane Park and Lerner Publishing Group for approving my request.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visually beautiful, this book will introduce the concept of animal adaptations to young readers with simple text and full page photographs of both well-known and some lesser known animals. Extension question included at the end encourages readers and their caregivers to apply what is learned from the book to their own lives. Glossary and list of other books for the K-2nd grade student are also included in the backmatter. A first choice book for school libraries.

Thanks for the print arc, Lerner Publishing Group.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Award. I read this book with my daughter and she really enjoyed getting to see an up close and personal color photo of each animal (before & after) their cool hidden features were revealed. I wish they would have used a lesser known animal from the book for the cover. Any kid that is looking for a cool frog book will potentially be a little disappointed to find out there is only one frog in this book, but they may learn a little something about other cool animals. A fun and informative read.

[T.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden Creature Features is a fun factoid book that is excellent for kids who love science and/or animals. With fun facts about penguins, red eyed tree frogs, pangolins, and more, you’re sure to learn more from this book regardless of age. I would definitely recommend this one for other homeschooling families and/or families like mine who have kids that cannot learn enough about animals fast enough.

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve read a lot of animal books since my kids LOVE animals. This is definitely a great one. We saw animals we’d never seen before and features of animals that we’ve seen, but not noticed before. The photographs are great. This would go perfectly when learning about animal adaptations. We thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read it again!

[Teresa Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the bright and bold colors of the animals chosen. I love the rhyming inside the pages. I love that the animals chosen are not the every day run of the mill dog/cat. BUT - I think the best part is that this book asks the reader questions about their adaptations and to find them on the pages. This is a great learning tool!

[Kris Reguera · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a stunning children’s non fiction! The photos are incredible and the facts are probably mostly new to any reader. I loved the penguin’s grippers and the little membrane frogs close when they sleep during the day! To top it, the book gets the reader thinking about all these animal features and about our own, and includes a glossary at the end. I would highly recommend!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love photographs of cool animals. I did not know anyone of the facts but the pangolin since I saw one in South Africa so read lots of books about them. The bristles on the penguin's tongue was a new fact to me. Same with the teeth in a PACU! It would be a terrific read aloud to get kids into nonfiction reading. The photography and text was awesome!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great addition to our non-fiction library! This fun book shows children all about the incredible ways in which animals have evolved to have unique features--all while rhyming! The engaging text paired with educational sidebars make this a great read (and I ended up learning quite a lot!).

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We all have hidden features that help us do the things we do.”

Rhyming text and great photographs tell of the different adaptations that animals have. Includes a glossary and a bibliography for further reading.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even grown ups can learn new facts about animals in this book about animal adaptations that help them defend themselves. Children who are curious about all animals will appreciate that some uncommon ones like the pangolin, sarcastic fringehead, pacu, and colugo are included.

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book has amazing photographs and really interesting facts. Also would be awesome for a storytime or just a read aloud with your kids.

[Rebecca Morrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy it when a picture book can teach me something I don't know. This one I shared with the science teacher in my school for her biology adaptations unit.

[Jackie Morera · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and educational read!

[Ashley S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rhyming nonfiction book is the perfect book for the littlest readers but could be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic photos and engaging animal facts teach readers about the surprising adaptations many animals have to survive. I love that there is a fish called a "Sarcastic Fringehead."

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early elementary guide tos everal animals and features of them that help them to survive but aren't always noticeable.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know a lot about animals, but I actually learned from this book!

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating facts about animals and their surprising adaptation. Kids will be intrigued.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool facts and photos. Wish it had been longer.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
This book was filled with information about the normally hidden features of different animals. The book was set up for younger readers, with each fact presented in a rhyme. This sometimes felt forced, and I think the book would have been better served if the information was written plainly. There were also plenty of pictures to go along with the information.
If you are starting to teach a young child about different animals, this is a great book to include.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

good. A little tough for littles, but the big kids LOVE it.