Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/01/2024 Gr 5–8—The physical conditions and animal populations of different biomes are examined with a focus on the contrast between day and night. Four two-page spreads introduce the habitats, noting the geographic conditions that can affect plants and wildlife. Nine animal profiles follow, starting with creatures that are most active in the daylight, and finishing with several that appear in darkness. Desert, for example, includes meerkats hunting at dawn, sidewinders waking at dusk, and the nocturnal fennec fox. The visual presentation supports the content and themes effectively. The daylight animal spreads are set against an orange background, nocturnal views switch to deep blue. One spread in each title shows a daytime view adjacent to a nighttime scene, with text that highlights the extreme contrasts. Several nighttime images, such as the immortal jellyfish (Ocean) and the green anaconda (Tropical Rainforest) are particularly eye-catching. VERDICT Highly appealing introduction to animals and their environments. - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 09/01/2024 *Starred Review* The Wild World: Habitats Day and Night series (4 titles) takes a unique approach to exploring habitats by offering glimpses of regional wildlife during different times of day. Photo-rich spreads welcome readers to each volume’s featured habitat, with broad-stroke descriptions of its climate, geographic location (on a labeled world map), terrain, and plant and animal life. The bulk of the book, however, is dedicated to nine native creatures, each receiving a two-page spread dominated by a crisp photograph. Engagingly written text appears against colorful backgrounds (yellow and orange for daytime critters, shades of blue for night life), and a boxed fast-fact is included with each profile. Eschewing the night-and-day framework, Arctic calls attention to seasonal light differences, with “Summer Daylight” introducing such creatures as the ringed seal and reindeer and “Winter Darkness” discussing orcas as well as the Northern Lights. Each book concludes with a “You Decide!” question, glossary, and index. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.