Wait and See

Gr 2-5--Vivid close-up full- or double-page color photographs show a praying mantis on a variety of plants and flowers in search of food. An omniscient observer follows the insect's activities in verse: "If it's hungry/ and it's hunting, / and if you don't/ go away, / you might see it/ make a sudden move/ to snatch its prey." Large font is placed directly on the photographs and sometimes called out in a colored strip along one side of the picture. The narrative ends with the praying mantis's nymphs emerging from an egg sac to begin their lives. A brief note at the end provides more information on the type of praying mantis shown and encourages readers to keep an eye out for things in nature--and then to be patient and observe. Amazing detail of the plants--showing petals and pistons--and photographs of the praying mantis combined with rhythmic text will draw readers in. The leap from the mantis eating its prey to hatching nymphs, while skipping over mating, feels a bit disjointed. VERDICT A strong first purchase. This book will have very broad appeal to a variety of ages.--Tamara Saarinen