How Do Meerkats Order Pizza?: Wild Facts about Animals and the Scientists Who Study Them

by Brooke Barker, Brooke Barker (Illustrator)

Overview

In this “pleasing and informative” (Kirkus Reviews) illustrated nonfiction book for middle grade readers, Brooke Barker of Sad Animal Facts introduces readers to incredible animals and the bizarre things human scientists do to understand them.

Did you know that crows never forget a face? Or that jaguars have a favorite cologne? Have you ever wondered how to pet a yeti crab? Or whether dogs can tell if you’re smiling? And just what is a burrowing bettong?

Meet these weird, wonderful animals and the equally weird and wonderful scientists who study them. From crafting fake poop to slurping up bugs with a straw, there’s nothing these amazing humans won’t do to help us learn more about the animals around us. Packed with fascinating facts, this hilarious book from the bestselling creator of Sad Animal Facts reveals secrets like why roosters crow and how meerkats make decisions as a group—and how humans can better understand the wild creatures we share the planet with.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665901611
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	10/24/2023
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	680L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Brooke Barker is a writer and illustrator who lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her successful Instagram account became the basis for her book, Sad Animal Facts. Brooke is also the author of How Do Meerkats Order Pizza?. Her favorite animal is the Malayan tapir. Follow her on Instagram @SadAnimalFacts.

Brooke Barker is a writer and illustrator who lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her successful Instagram account became the basis for her book, Sad Animal Facts. Brooke is also the author of How Do Meerkats Order Pizza?. Her favorite animal is the Malayan tapir. Follow her on Instagram @SadAnimalFacts.

Editorial Reviews

From meerkats to bettongs, a look at animals all over the world.

There’s no shortage of books that present intriguing wildlife info to encourage a sense of wonder at the natural world. But by including stories about the scientists who study these animals, Barker sets her volume apart, making clear the connection between research and the factoids that engage us. Each section opens with a page that names the scientist and their field of study, highlights a few identifying features of the animal in text circles, and includes a sketch of the animal. Three to six spreads follow describing the creature and the methods the scientist uses to study them. The text is set off with white space and comics in panels with speech balloons full of commentary from the animals. Scientists who study white-tailed deer, roosters, jaguars, humpback whales, and more are included. The amusing, spare illustrations depict animals that are just as interested in the scientists’ research as readers will be. Also covered is a scientist whose studies of the ocean parallel some of the environmental issues mentioned in other sections. The scientists are racially diverse, as are the other people depicted in the illustrations. A concluding spread suggests ways readers can emulate the individuals profiled.

A pleasing and informative collection of animal facts—and the scientists responsible for unearthing them. (glossary) (Graphic nonfiction. 6-10)

10/01/2022 - Kirkus Reviews

2022-09-14
From meerkats to bettongs, a look at animals all over the world.

There’s no shortage of books that present intriguing wildlife info to encourage a sense of wonder at the natural world. But by including stories about the scientists who study these animals, Barker sets her volume apart, making clear the connection between research and the factoids that engage us. Each section opens with a page that names the scientist and their field of study, highlights a few identifying features of the animal in text circles, and includes a sketch of the animal. Three to six spreads follow describing the creature and the methods the scientist uses to study them. The text is set off with white space and comics in panels with speech balloons full of commentary from the animals. Scientists who study white-tailed deer, roosters, jaguars, humpback whales, and more are included. The amusing, spare illustrations depict animals that are just as interested in the scientists’ research as readers will be. Also covered is a scientist whose studies of the ocean parallel some of the environmental issues mentioned in other sections. The scientists are racially diverse, as are the other people depicted in the illustrations. A concluding spread suggests ways readers can emulate the individuals profiled.

A pleasing and informative collection of animal facts—and the scientists responsible for unearthing them. (glossary) (Graphic nonfiction. 6-10)

Kirkus Reviews