Angry Birds Playground

February 1, 2013
Grades 1-3 The now-ubiquitous Angry Birds video game characters become our chatty hosts in this title that introduces animal species. When enemy pigs steal the Angry Birds' eggs, the avian adventurers try to rescue them by searching five of the earth's habitats: rain forest, desert, ocean, grassland, and polar. A map and brief overview of each habitat are followed by profiles of eight animals, including reptiles, amphibians, mammals, insects, arachnids, fish, and even more birds. From sections about popular giraffes and polar bears to those covering the lesser-known caiman and Tasmanian devil, the profiles describe the physical attributes and unique qualities of each creature, as well as their care as babies. Enhanced with the large, high-quality color photographs that have become National Geographic's trademark, the pages also feature fact boxes that break down each animal's stats. Along the way, the Angry Birds note other animals' eggs and how they are different from their own. Their humorous running commentary doesn't add much additional info, but it does keeps the text lively. A concluding animal map, quiz, and related activities extend the learning.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)