Sea Lions in the Parking Lot

August 1, 2021
When Covid-19 kept humans home, animal behaviors changed. The author of the "Sidewalk Naturalist" column for the digital magazine Catapult offers a dozen examples of changes observed in animal behavior around the world in 2020. Kangaroos ventured onto city streets in Australia; sika deer clattered down subway steps in Japan; sea lions sunned themselves at a resort in Argentina; lions napped on roads where safari jeeps usually take tourists. Urban animals like coyotes and wild boars became bolder; pandas in zoos mated and gave birth. Clean waters allowed Venetians to see undersea creatures. Far more spring peepers than usual survived road crossings in the eastern United States; more flamingos nested in Indian wetlands; and more hatchling turtles made their way from beaches to the ocean. In one case, Todaro highlights changed human behavior: To avoid infecting mountain gorillas, rangers used face masks and hand sanitizers. Each example receives two spreads, with a short, illustrated story followed by an appealing, gently humorous double-page illustration. These interesting, explanatory stories always include a word for the species as a group. They're appropriate for reading aloud to a young audience, though the places and even the species may require some adult introduction. There's extensive backmatter for older readers, including the idea of the "anthropause," a note on habitats, and suggestions for actions to help create more safe spaces for wildlife. Curiously miscellaneous but likely to appeal to animal lovers. (further resources) (Informational picture book. 5-9)

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September 1, 2021

Gr 2-4-This unusual title highlights 12 animals in their habitats, and how they were affected by the absence of people and human activities during the pandemic. These animals, from around the world, are described through their group name (e.g., a herd of deer) and location. Presented are one or two details about their diet and behavior before the pandemic and what has changed since: how their habitat has expanded, or how their behavior has changed. For example, lions in South Africa can walk the roads usually filled with tourists and rest anywhere in the sun. The accompanying illustration shows five or six lions covering a Jeep and sleeping. Deer in Japan are riding the escalators in the subway and eating out of garbage cans. Sea turtles in Mexico and Brazil are able to increase their numbers because of quiet beaches, without people. Brief notes at the end offer a few details about the habitat, biomes, and behavior of these animals. While the premise of this book is to highlight how human behavior affects animal behavior and how a change like pandemic lockdowns offer opportunities to rethink some of our interactions and effects on wildlife, this title does not offer enough information or ideas for pursuing these goals. VERDICT Animal fun facts and behavior during the pandemic, with often inappropriate illustrations, do not save this title. Not recommended.-Susan Lissim, Dwight Sch., New York City

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2021
Kangaroos on the city streets of Adelaide, Australia; an influx of flamingoes in Navi Mumbai; wild boars roaming through residential areas in Haifa, Israel. During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, when most people stayed home, wildlife began to safely venture into previously human-populated spaces. This book visits twelve locations and species around the world highlighting each situation with a brief, informative paragraph or two and a detailed double-page illustration of the unusual scene. In addition, this period benefited some animals in captivity (pandas) or on display (lions on South African safari tours), giving them respite from constant human activity. Todaro's afterword provides more details about the effects of the "anthropause" on nature and advocates for more "cohabitation efforts." "Notes on Habitats, Biomes, and Wildlife Behavior" and a list of related websites conclude this intriguing take on the pandemic.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)