These wild members of the pig family are far more dangerous than their farm-bred descendants. When they feel threatened, wild boars will charge at their enemies. They even use their sharp teeth to gore their opponents. Information-packed text about these powerful animals' habits, habitats, diet, life cycle, and more are outlined for readers.
June 1, 2013
Gr 2-4-With jagged stripes of red and yellow, the series title, and close-ups of critters with bared teeth on the covers, one would expect the content of these volumes to be thrilling, but it's never good to judge... well, you know the rest. Quinlan's style is tepid and repetitive, which is curious, given the ample sensational material these vicious varmints provide. There are exclamation marks aplenty, but they are not a substitute for strong writing. Factoids should consist of especially interesting or startling information, but most of them offer basic stuff. The organization of the material is muddled; chapters overlap or fail to have a solid focus. Honey Badgers is the clearest and most cohesive volume. Where the books fare better is in the photographs. Clear, large images of the animals in their habitats, sometimes dining on bloody prey, will satisfy many browsers, and the information will prove adequate for report writers. These volumes are a missed opportunity in some ways, but they suffice in others.-Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR
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