School Library Journal Review

Gr 2--5--This set looks beyond the usual cows, sheep, and chickens to introduce less common farm animals. Content includes animal history, general facts about how they live on the farm, descriptions of products humans use and sell, and some of the challenges with keeping the animals in ways that make the farm successful. General physical characteristics and behaviors are directly related to existence on the farm in most cases. For example, the size of bison and llamas is described in terms of how it impacts fencing requirements. Smaller animals and insects (bees, snails, and pigeons) are covered, along with the larger livestock mammals. Photographs show the animals in varied settings, sometimes interacting with their human caretakers. Images of the products they are used for, including food, appear for most but not all cases. VERDICT Informative animal profiles from a context that is not often presented.