Booklist Review of Horned Lizard, Luna Moth, Polish Chicken, and Snub-Nosed Monkey

The urgent question, “What’s this weird but cute animal?” opens each volume of the aptly named Weirder and Cuter series. First up in Horned Lizard is a small, spiny reptile capable of scaring off predators by squirting blood out of its eyeballs. Awesomely weird! The giant, lime-green subject of Luna Moth will stun readers with its beauty and the incredible fact that it has no mouth or stomach. Polish Chicken casts a spotlight on the 1980s rockers of the poultry world, imparting how that outlandish spray of feathers atop the chickens’ heads is possible. Seriously adorable photos fill the pages of Snub-Nosed Monkey, along with explanations of these monkeys’ plump lips and signature tiny noses.The high-interest subjects of this series will effortlessly grab young readers, but the books have the added bonus of being well designed and informative. Double-page spreads succinctly introduce topics, such as where an animal lives and its defining features, diet, and common predators. Colorful photos enliven every spread with full-page and spot images, and each book features a clear depiction of comparative size and fascinating factoids in addition to the main text. The closing pages offer examples of other weird, related animals (monkeys, lizards, etc.) and a picture glossary. A solid, attractive series that youngsters will love.