People Are Wild

Nonhuman narrators give voice to animalian perceptions of people in this empathic solo debut, which asks readers to reflect on their commonalities with wild creatures. Meganck’s colored pencil and watercolor spreads show humans of varying abilities and skin tones observing and being observed by animals in unique habitats. “Mama, what is that?” asks an African elephant, trunk pointing at two light-skinned people across the savannah. “Don’t get too close” warns an Anthony’s poison dart frog near a pair of brown-skinned human legs. Throughout, the juxtaposition of text and illustrations offers subtle humor: a human child eating a drippy ice cream cone (“so messy”) contrasts with an Iberian lynx being licked clean by a parent; a family of hoatzins—also known as stinkbirds—eye a diaper-clad human baby (“so smelly”). Conservation-oriented back matter further emphasizes wildlife appreciation, including a map of the featured species’ territories and endangered status. Ages 3–6. (Mar.)