Each large spread, some expanded with gatefolds, shows a delicate painting of a predator and their prey, a poem or short series of poems, and a box of information about the animals pictured. For example, one page shows a criss-crossing of bare branches and a sharp-shinned hawk, beleaguered by a "feisty mob" of chickadees. The first illustration is accompanied by a poem featuring the alarm call of the chickadees and a section explaining that a perched hawk is unwelcome but not immediately dangerous while a flying hawk is ready to attack. The facing page shows the hawk soaring into the air and two poems, one featuring the chickadees stealth warning call as they perch still on a branch and the other the hawk's reply, warning them that she will be back.
Other pairs featured are a bluejay trying to decide between poisonous and non-poisonous butterflies, a rattlesnake stalking an angry squirrel, bats hunting moths, assassin bugs and spiders. These aren't the "exciting" large carnivores, but the small creatures of backyards and grasslands, epic mini battles going on all the time right under our eyes.
Back matter consists of citations, primarily of academic papers and resources. This isn't one I can see the average kid picking up off the shelf for fun, but it's an amazing resource for teachers and, with a little booktalking, will interest kids who like biology and observing the natural world.
Verdict: A beautiful, well-researched book that can be introduced to children in a variety of ways. A great classroom resource or curriculum supplement.
ISBN: 9780763695330; Published April 2019 by Candlewick Studio; Review copy provided by LibraryThing Early Reviewers; Donated to the library
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