Many astonishing creatures inhabit the world along with humans, and this team of Argentine artists have colorfully illustrated many of these captivating denizens for a curious, youthful audience. Using vivid shades of oranges, greens, and blues to describe the animals, the creatures illuminate the pages with their charismatic poses and anatomic attributes.

Gaze at a bald jamari or a three-toed sloth that resides in South American trees, or wonder at the forms of living fossils such as the purple frog or the reptilian Gharial. There are names of unfamiliar animals that reside along with those that are easily recognized. The identified species are related to and adapted to their environment, and they are grouped according to their resident ecosystem.

Youngsters in the early grades may need help mouthing names like Paedophryne Amauensis, a tiny frog that is smaller than a dime, but they will be intrigued by its versatility. This colorfully illustrious presentation of the diversity of animal life displaying their remarkable anatomy and with specialized features designed to fit in with their environment is an excellent introduction to ecology for the young learner. It is a page turner for the preadolescent.