Animal Homes (Ladders)

PreSchool-Grade 1-This series is to children's literature what instant pudding is to dessert. The books look good on the outside, have some of the elements of the real thing, will do if that's all that's available, but they just aren't as satisfying as well-crafted volumes. Each title is a collaborative effort by a different group of people whose names are tucked on the back of the title page in rather small type. Most of the illustrations are pedestrian at best. The photos are engaging but randomly sprinkled. The stories might be acceptable in a children's magazine but they don't save the rest of the slapdash content. Bright shiny covers and some pretty photos will lure well-meaning adults to this slick series, but with a little luck they will find better alternatives that don't try to cover too much with too little. -SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL