The Black Mambas: The World’s First All-Woman Anti-poaching Unit

Crull spotlights South African anti-poaching unit the Black Mambas in this documentary-style picture book. First-person-plural narration evenhandedly presents the perspective of poachers before delving into the Black Mambas’ mission-driven work on a nature reserve (“We say to the animals... We are your mothers, your aunties, and your sisters”). Within the frame of the Black Mambas’ daily schedule—from morning workouts to twice-a-day patrols—interactive pages invite readers to plan a patrol route and match animals to their tracks. Sidebars and quotes from individual Black Mambas help provide a complete picture of ranger work, while photo collages depict the women protecting wildlife. The result is an earnest, enthusiastic tribute to the world’s first all-woman anti-poaching unit. A pronunciation guide and author’s note conclude. Ages 6–10. (Apr.)