Like No Other: Earth’s Coolest One-of-a-Kind Creatures

by Sneed B. Collard III, Christopher Silas Neal (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature, Environment

40 pages, Hardcover

Published June 18, 2024

About the author

Sneed B. Collard III (see also "Sneed B. Collard") is a biologist, world traveler, speaker, and author of almost one hundred books for young people, including the 2024 Orbis Pictus Award winner, Border Crossings (Charlesbridge Publishing). His other recent science titles include Fire Birds; Hopping Ahead of Climate Change; Little Killers; Waiting for a Warbler; Beaver & Otter Get Along . . . Sort of; and the upcoming picture book, Like No Other. Collard holds science degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and U.C. Santa Barbara. He lives in Montana.

Reviews

[L M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well constructed and written; clearly written intro that motivates the premise well; smart choices of which animals to include, then good information about each

Generous back matter that would be informative for kids and help educators or family members plan further explorations

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like No Other by Sneed B. Collard III and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal opens with a scene that takes us to New Zealand to meet a one-of-a kind animal, the tuatara. It is considered one of a kind because it has no close living relatives. Before introducing us to this and other one-of-a-kind creatures, Collard explains the animal classification system in kid friendly terms. Each subsequent spread introduces a new animal, some more familiar than others, with a catchy subtitle to get the reader hooked and thinking. For example, the Aye-Aye has as its subtitle “Finger Food.” This curious creature finds prey by using an extra-long finger to tap on a tree and listen for an echo. The simple, accurate illustrations blend in with the text to truly complement it. The book contains excellent back matter that includes a glossary, encourages readers to observe and be animal scientists and animal protectors, and even poses a few questions to extend understanding. This is a must-have book for anyone curious about animals and would be a welcome addition in home and school libraries.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book is nonfiction, causing me to raise this tiny quibble with the title's claim. LIKE NO OTHER: Earth's Coolest One-of-a-Kind Creatures is written by a reliable and engaging researcher/author, Sneed B. Collard III, and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal, creator of countless classic and brilliant nonfiction picture books. (He is the illustrator of a different recently reviewed beauty, here.)

Now back to my quibble. I have no argument with the "LIKE NO OTHER" part of their title. Collard's science is as thorough, accessible, and intriguing as it is in the many other nonfiction picture books he has authored. He opens with a chart and text spread to explain, scientifically, what the LIKE-NO-OTHER part of the title means. These are animals whose family tree includes... no others! Some you might already know, like platypus or even aye-aye. Others are delightfully unfamiliar (or they were to me) and will intrigue readers of many ages. Some have familiar names/identities (whale shark, walrus) but I had not realized that they are unique, isolates within their scientific lineage.

Each merits a double-page spread that includes brief information about the animal, followed by stunning bulleted informational nuggets and an inset with their scientific classifications and specifics. Text presents facts that are memorable, and reveals enough to both clarify questions and also invite further investigation. This is the kind of book that will have kids asking peers and adults, "Did you know...?" Neal's art on each page presents the creatures within habitats and elaborates on details visually using his colorful trademark style and appeal. Several pages of back matter are equally readable and inviting. Before that back matter comes a very special surprise species.

Back to the quibble: These featured animals are truly LIKE NO OTHER, but what about "COOLEST"? Isn't that an opinion? Can it be proven?

I'll concede this much: the combination of fascinating, engaging text and colorful, clarifying illustrations make the case very persuasively. These just might be the "Coolest One-of-a-Kind Creatures." But in case you might have another opinion, be sure to check out the challenge map/creature pages in back. More of these examples are included, and perhaps OTHER One-of-a-Kind animals might attract your attention. Then you can decide to investigate them further. Maybe, as with many scientific explorations, these are simply the COOLEST that you know, "so far". Don't you love this invitation to more investigation?

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun one for the young animal aficionado. My boys knew many of the animals already, but they are huge animal lovers, have read tons of books about them, Wild Kratts fans, etc. and even they learned a few new facts and met two new-to-them creatures (the purple frog and the monito del monte). I loved that the pronghorn is included because we have seen them in the mountains of Idaho and they are really rather remarkable animals (they can clock 60 MPH and keep running fast longer than any other animal) but I hadn’t realized they are in their own family (the Antilocapridae) and that its closest living relatives are Africa’s giraffes and okapi! So cool. This book is cool! ;-) Appreciate the discussion questions at the back and wish there was a bibliography but the author does acknowledge several experts with whom he consulted in writing the book.

[Sneed III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like No Other explores a topic that has fascinated me for decades—animals that have no close surviving relatives. These range from little-known animals such as Africa's Aye-Aye and India's Purple Frog to well-known creatures such as the Pronghorn, Whale Shark, and Leatherback sea turtle. Undoubtedly, all of these animals had close relatives at one time, but through earth's many upheavals and chance events, the animals in this book were left pretty much alone in the taxonomic world. Today, they are some of the most intriguing animals on the planet, and I was fortunate that Kane Press enlisted the wonderful talents of Christopher Silas Neal to help bring them alive for children and adults alike.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kind of blows you away with the last of the One of a Kind creatures in the book. Can’t say more than that – read it! Also the author introduces you in a really sneaky, gentle way to the whole science of taxonomy. The back matter is extensive and interesting. The author urges kids to approach mitigating climate change by doing their own research on the best response for them, listing only a few ideas to get kids started. Visually compelling, too – the best illustrations of a Sneed book I have seen. m2

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief summary: This nonfiction picture book examines twelve mysterious, unique animals with two paged spreads with details of their differences.

Comments: More animals are shown in the back sections. This book also includes humans, how to save one-of-a-kind creatures, and more information, including a two-page map of other monospecific animals. The illustrations are a mix of acrylic, pencil, and digital.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

[Jared White · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cool book! I knew about most of the animals listed but learned about a few new ones and also learned a couple more facts about those I was familiar with. If you and your little one enjoy learning about odd and unique animals then this is a great choice!

[James Biser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great discussion of several animals from different parts of the world that are unique and unlike other animals that are still alive today. The book is very well researched and written. It is an excellent source of education.

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite nonfiction picture books from last year!