Gr 2--5--Vivid close-up full- or double-page color photographs show a praying mantis on a variety of plants and flowers in search of food. An omniscient observer follows the insect's activities in verse: "If it's hungry/ and it's hunting,/ and if you don't/ go away,/ you might see it/ make a sudden move/ to snatch its prey." Large font is placed directly on the photographs and sometimes called out in a colored strip along one side of the picture. The narrative ends with the praying mantis's nymphs emerging from an egg sac to begin their lives. A brief note at the end provides more information on the type of praying mantis shown and encourages readers to keep an eye out for things in nature--and then to be patient and observe. Amazing detail of the plants--showing petals and pistons--and photographs of the praying mantis combined with rhythmic text will draw readers in. The leap from the mantis eating its prey to hatching nymphs, while skipping over mating, feels a bit disjointed. VERDICT A strong first purchase. This book will have very broad appeal to a variety of ages.--Tamara Saarinen

Frost and Lieder (Hello, I'm Here! 2019) again team up for a photo-illustrated picture book about wildlife. Frost's sparely worded, contemplative poem appears on crisp, close-up images of a Chinese praying mantis, and an in-depth closing spread details this creature's life cycle and habits (adults will have to help with this section). The tone of the poem is one of wonder and mindfulness. "If a quick small movement takes you by surprise, / stop and look--move nothing but your eyes." A praying mantis can hold still a long time, says Frost, "Can you wait a long time, too?" If you wait, the poem says, you could see many more praying mantises emerging from their hard egg cases, which are described in the back matter. There readers can also learn about what these creatures are doing with their forelegs when they appear to pray (hunting!) and other life-cycle facts. Kids fascinated by backyard wildlife will appreciate this lyrical offering, which will work well in both poetry units and early science classes.

An invitation to embody the attributes of a praying mantis: stillness, awareness, patience, calm, and focus. Frost and Lieder continue their collaboration with a paean to the fascinating creature that is the Chinese praying mantis. The book invites readers to sharpen their observation skills in order to appreciate the marvels of the elusive little creature. Noting that praying mantises can be brown or green, the text urges children to emulate the insect's composure and patience: "It can wait a long time, / staring straight / at you. / Can you wait a long / time too?" Budding entomologists must "be still and quiet" and "keep watching" if they want to witness a praying mantis hunting, eating, and even being born. Frost's rhyming text scans fairly well and draws readers into the experience of standing in the presence of this awe-inspiring arthropod. Lieder uses macro photography techniques to capture detailed, close-up, stunning views of the insect as it perches on various flowers, snatches prey with its sharp spines, and hangs upside down on a leaf. Children will undoubtedly feel compelled to make up fun stories for these personality-filled creepy-crawlies. Of particular note is a crystal-clear photo of praying mantis nymphs emerging from their cocoon. A closing author's note describes the life cycle of praying mantises. A reminder of the wonders we can see in nature if we slow down and pay attention. (Informational picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

As in their earlier collaborations (e.g., Among a Thousand Fireflies, rev. 3/16), poet Frost and photographer Lieder celebrate the wonders revealed through close observation of the natural world -- here, the praying mantis. The text invites children to freeze: "If a quick small / movement / takes you by / surprise, / stop and look / move nothing / but your eyes." Frost explains that you might see a hungry, hunting praying mantis snag its prey if you watch quietly. Lieder's pictures put the praying mantises and the flora upon which they perch on crisp display, leaving the rest of the surroundings in soft focus. We see a praying mantis capturing a bee in its long, toothed front legs as well as one emerging as a nymph from its nest, followed by "hundreds more" dangling together as they hatch. Between Frost's advice ("Be still and quiet, / watching") and Lieder's photographs, children may be able to start spotting the alien-looking yet beautiful creatures in the wild. A closing note offers additional information about the life cycle of Chinese praying mantises. The book design includes a raised image of the insect on the front cover as well as endpapers that begin in day and finish against a dark background for a subtle good-night message. Susan Dove Lempke July/August 2022 p.140(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.