Run For Your Life Predators and Prey on the African Savanna

Reviewed by: Anne Donovan - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 7, 2016

Review

This engaging picture book begins with a brief description of the predator/prey animals found on the African savanna and their search for food. "On the savanna, animals sleep. Then..." each page springs into action with leaping and bounding and lunging and loping and pouncing, all accompanied by full double page illustrations of the different animals on the hunt and a couplet naming the animals and their actions. Of course the reader does not see any actual kills and while the watercolor and acrylic drawings are detailed and accurate they are also part whimsy. The different species would not be hunting or sleeping in such close proximity.The book ends with a brief description of animals found on the savanna named in the book and a chart listing their highest speeds. This book would be appropriate for Preschool story times and the variety of motion words fun for children to act out. For the older K-3 ages it will introduce the savanna and some new animals and the predator/prey relationship!

Overall Book Score: very good