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  • Can an Aardvark Bark? by Melissa Stewart
  • Deborah Stevenson
Stewart, Melissa Can an Aardvark Bark?; illus. by Steve Jenkins. Beach Lane, 2017 [32p]
Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-4814-5852-8 $17.99
E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-4814-5853-5 $10.99
Reviewed from galleys         R 5-8 yrs

Stewart, author of Feathers: Not Just for Flying (BCCB 3/14), partners here with the inimitable Steve Jenkins in an overview of animal sounds. Big print text provides some Q&A ("Can an aardvark bark? No, but it can grunt") while smaller text gives more detail about the latter vocal behavior; a followup spread describes other animals that make that noise ("Lots of other animals grunt too"). The book tours through animals that bark, squeal, roar, growl, and more, cleverly looping each new question back to the previous one (with one inexplicable exception). The book wisely goes beyond mammals to explore the subject, and it clearly identifies when the sound in question isn't oral (for instance, dolphins "make squealing calls by opening and closing the blowholes on top of their heads"). Jenkins' familiar textured cut-paper collage work provides portraits of animals caught mid-cry, which is an unusual perspective on creatures less known for their chat, such as the capybara and the giraffe. The final spread invites audiences to try their own vocalizations, but it might be more entertaining (if chaotic) to encourage contributions along the way. End matter includes a list of selected sources and a few books for further reading; you'll have to find YouTube links to sound samples on your own.

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