SLJ Series Made Simple Review of Animal Masterminds

A life-saving pig and an escaping octopus are among the highly intelligent animals introduced through a graphic novel format. Each book focuses on a single animal.

Some use their brains to rescue humans from danger, while others, like a tool-making crow, show their intelligence in a laboratory setting.

Dialogue and occasional narration introduce the creatures and the humans with whom they interact, supported by paneled illustrations. While the drawings of humans conversing are rather dull, the animal scenes are more engaging and provide useful information.

They highlight key developments, such as the crow’s steps towards tool creation, and capture the drama of exciting moments like a shark’s surprising appearance amid swimmers and a dolphin pod. Back matter presents a handful of animal facts followed by two short examples of other intelligent animals from the same group

VERDICT: Graphic novel style and interesting content could draw in reluctant nonfiction readers.