• Age: 6 to 9
• Grade: 1 to 4
• Reading age: 6 to 9

Learn about animal extremes through playful poems and fascinating facts.

Who's tops in the animal world? Readers get to find out, as they play a guessing game that uses delightful persona poems to introduce 19 animals who are the best in some way. Each poem offers hints about the identity of an animal and what makes it so amazing. Included are popular categories, such as Biggest Animal Ever (blue whale) and Fastest Short-Distance Runner (cheetah), as well as more unexpected ones, such as Best Engineer (North American beaver) and Longest Tongue (giant anteater). Poems full of personality combined with intriguing science - what a lively and fun way to learn!

Linda Ashman's original approach to the ever-popular topic of animal characteristics makes for an appealing and informative book that animal lovers of all ages can enjoy. A full right-side page is dedicated to each charming persona poem - a poem written from the animal's perspective about itself - along with an illustration by Aparna Varma showing just a peek at part of the animal. Turn the page and, on the left side, discover the mystery animal, what category it's won, some interesting facts, including how the animal's standout characteristic was measured, and a full illustration. With its introductions to both animals and persona poems, this is that rare book that works equally well for language arts and life science lessons, and as an engaging read-aloud. The content is supported by a glossary, an explanation of persona poems with an activity and more information about animal science and endangered animals.

Linda Ashman is the author of more than forty picture books, many of them included on the “best of the year” lists of the New York Times, Parenting and Child magazines, the New York Public Library and more. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, son and two dogs.

Linda Ashman's profile page

Aparna Varma is a freelance illustrator, animator and owner of the stationary company Green Bean Studio. She is the illustrator of Anne and Her Tower of Giraffes, Champion Chompers, Super Stinkers and Other Poems by Extraordinary Animals and Pig's Big Feelings. Aparna divides her time between working at Nelvana Studio and illustrating children's books. Born and raised in India and Botswana, she now lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Aparna Varma's profile page

• Winner, 2025 Connecticut Charter Oak Children's Book Award, Connecticut Association aof School Libraries
• Joint winner, Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List (Youth List), Texas Library Association
• Joint winner, Delaware Diamond; Grades 3-5, Diamond State Reading Association (DSRA)
• Winner, Eureka! Non-Fiction Book Award, California Reading Association

Put this multifaceted package on the science shelves, and use it often and variously.

School Library Journal, starred review

A savvy combination of STEAM-centric approaches.

Booklist

A brimming compendium that inventively mixes facts, poetry, and humor.

Kirkus Reviews, starred review

This dualistic approach melds together verse and science in a way that will appeal to young animal lovers. The end result is a book that reveals the interdependence of nature as well as the unique value that every living creature possesses.

Children's Literature