Runners, Sliders, Bouncers, Climbers: Runners, Sliders, Bouncers, and Climbers: A Pop-Up Look at Animals in Motion

In its attempt to sandwich a wide variety of information within 16 pages of pop-up illustrations, this book's identity is lost in a schizophrenic battle. Demonstrative and somewhat entertaining pop-ups depict a side-to-side waddling turtle, a leaping kangaroo and frog, a climbing Indri, a running ostrich and a jumping basketball player. But these subjects are overwhelmed by a blizzard of dry, unconnected information bytes on topics ranging from human climbing, jumping and running records to numerous scientific facts about both familiar and obscure animals, to a tacked-on tribute to wheels that aid human locomotion. While the pop-ups may initially attract younger children, more advanced readers may be confused by the crowded and disorganized layout. If approached as a smorgasbord, however, the book offers some interesting tidbits: before stop-action photography, people thought horses ran with all four feet in the air; skunks do handstands when they spray. Ages 6-10. (Sept.)