Ready, Set ... Wait!    by Patti R. Zelch & Connie McLennan Order:  USA  Can Arbordale, 2011 (2011) Softcover     Reviewed by J. A. Kaszuba Locke When newscasters report impending natural disasters, humans get busy in preparation for nature's havoc. 'What do Animals Do?' is the question posed in Ready, Set ... Wait! Patti R. Zelch looks at how nine animals 'sense, react, and prepare for a hurricane' in her debut picture book. Connie McLennan's llustrations are painted in effective bright and somber colors, with attentive action, such as trees waving in the wind. Featured animals include rabbits and other small animals, which take cover underground, while butterflies keep watch in tree hollows and under rocks. Marine life includes dolphins which board in home territory, deep water pockets, or deep, calm water; and manatees, which stay-at-bay just offshore. One of the illustrations that caught my mind's eye shows bright blue water, with shades of grey for the coral reef, and a myriad of fish in light grey/white. Accompanying words tell us: 'On a reef below the water's surface, fish band together in large schools. They bolt this way and that, back and forth, twisting and turning - searching for food to fill their stomachs and for shelter in the deep grooves and caves of the coral. They know!' Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews