PRETTY CLOSE, BUT NOT THE SAME: A SIDE-BY-SIDE LOOK AT CONFUSABLE CRITTERS written by Meg Fleming and illustrated by Steph Stilwell

Writer Meg Fleming and illustrator Steph Stilwell collaborate on a fascinating non-fiction take on animals, PRETTY CLOSE, BUT NOT THE SAME: A SIDE-BY-SIDE LOOK AT CONFUSABLE CRITTERS. The book has intriguing takes that answer questions about how a tortoise and turtle differ, a monkey and an ape are not the same, dolpin and porpoises differ by noses…and more. Bright colors accompany the playful rhyming differentiations and “not the same” refrain repeats for further rhythms. The involving structure introduces seven sets of creatures, then page-turns that reveal similarities and differences. There is a range within, you’ll find commonly-confused reptilian alligator and crocodile, more easily distinguished leopard and tiger, and I even learned about a new ocean mammal, manatee’s similarity to a dugong whose tails function differently. You can find a link to the book in the purchase button below.