Aye-Ayes, Bears, and Condors: An ABC of Endangered Animals and Their Babies

Like a number of other recent abecedaries and counting books--most memorably, Amanda Wallwork's No Dodos (Children's Forecasts, Nov. 8)--this title raises environmentalist consciousness as it teaches fundamentals. Here, indigenous folk motifs frame pastel portraits on black backgrounds, while a rhyming text spotlights one or two obvious characteristics of the featured creatures. Exotics like the uakari and the numbat mingle with familiar, well-publicized species (the condor, northern spotted owl and gray wolf). Twinem's verses lead to easy memorizing on the part of pre-readers who wish to ``read'' the book alone: ``Fierce and stealthy ferrets go out hunting in the night. / Gorilla gobbles juicy leaves, with baby holding tight.'' Appended are a map and gazetteer containing additional information on the various endangered species and a sensible list of ``What You Can Do to Help.'' Ages 2-5. (Mar.)