John Mitchinson (1) (1963–)

This booked is filled with all kinds of fun & fascinating facts covering the entire animal spectrum. From mites so small we can't even see them, to the biggest of them all, the mighty Blue Whale . There's even a chapter on us humans. But after reading this book my biggest question is what is this British fascination with the word bottom ? The authors used this word countless times and I couldn't help but think, c'mon guys we're adults, if you can't use come to grips with the ass word, how about at least throwing in the word anus a little more often.… (more)

Like sliced ginger between sushi courses, it's tough to imagine a more tasty [brain] cleanse than this, which forces away all heavy thoughts in favor of repeatedly drawing focus to the miracle that is our existence and the delightful entities that cohabitate with us on this very weird, very beautiful planet.

Each of the hundred "chapters" is a headlining animal, a couple of sentences debunking misconceptions of same, a couple of sober facts, and, frequently, a couple of silly facts. Admittedly, it annoys the bejeezus out of the part of my brain that thinks reading should be productive, but I can't even listen to that part when I'm internally giggling and occasionally calling out to my daughter something like: "Did you know porcupines can be taught to dance?" (see quote)

The answer to all such questions, by the way, is: "yes, and also [some other crazy fact that may also be in the book but sometimes isn't]". Apparently animal science classes are way more fun than they were in my day.… (more)