I read Butt or Face? by Kari Lavelle awhile back and enjoyed it perhaps more than I should have for a (physical) adult. The concept of a photograph showing you a piece of the “animal puzzle” to see if you can tell if it is a face or the posterior end is a hoot. Kids (and big kids) will get a kick out of seeing the adaptations the animals have to make themselves safe from predators or pleasing to mates (fake eyes, odd shaped noses, feathers with more fake eyes). Or just seemingly odd adaptations that seem like there is no logical purpose, but it is there nonetheless. Probably. However, Butt or Face? Volume 2: Revenge of the Butts, also by Lavelle, did not cut the mustard.
This is probably due to the fact that the due in April 2024 title was read by me via an online reader copy and the “surprise” of which was which (is it face or is it butt) was shown as you “turn” the page. Still, the facts of each animal were delightful. There are puns (such as the box that the facts are in is labeled “Face the facts” when it is a face), and there is enough extra that allows the child to grow with the book, but is not overwhelming to the younger reader. But the best part (and a mark of a good book, in my maybe not so humble opinion), is that I learned something about a few of the animals. Like the axolotl. Which of course, along with others, has a pun about the name. The illustrators, or photographs more accurately, are nice, but nothing OMG as they are there to represent and not be too heavy of the focus.
The “butt or face” section is simple, then the next page is the information with a larger/full image of the creature. Some might be familiar (peacock, axolotl) and others not as much. This book is fun for the classroom or personal library/reading. It most likely works best one on one and not a group read.