April 1, 2023
Gr 3-7-Introductions to several remarkable women involved in various animal conservation occupations are provided in this concise work. Included are animal activists, conservationists, ichthyologists, and biologists. Familiar names such as Kristen Bell, Jane Goodall, Bindi Irwin, and Temple Grandin are featured. Examples of others include activist Bella Lack who successfully campaigned against circus animal abuse, Kristen Lear who convinced Texas farmers to plant food for migrating bats, and architect Sue Chin who designs zoo habitats. While only brief overviews of their works are presented, enough information is provided to intrigue readers who will certainly seek more. Colorful illustrations by a diverse collection of female artists complement the texts nicely. VERDICT These short takes on important and inspiring female animal lovers are fine introductions and will encourage more research; selectors should consider.-Margaret Nunes
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May 15, 2023
Grades 3-6 The Rebel Girls series (3 new titles) continues its celebration of women and girls with these new collective biographies. The books each contain 25 biographies written in a story-like format (e.g., "Once upon a time...") and feature racially diverse individuals as well as a solid mix of historical and modern figures. Each entry appears as a two-page spread pairing a one-page written profile with an energetic stylized portrait created by a woman or nonbinary artist. The short bios give readers a chance to learn from these important figures while easily absorbing key content and understanding each person's background. Animal Allies covers women defending wildlife, such as photographer and marine biologist Cristina Mittermeier, ornithologist Corina Newsome, and conservationist Hana Ahmed Raza. Inspiring back matter aligns with each book's theme and contains a "Meet More Rebels" spread of mini-bios and activity prompts, though librarians should note that one spread asks readers to write in the book itself. These books will encourage readers to follow their dreams, just as these exemplary figures did.
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