Dumon Tak, Bibi. My Presentation Today Is About the Anaconda. Annemarie Van Haeringen, Illus. Translated from the Dutch by Nancy Forest-Flier. Levine Querido, 02/2025. 223pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-6461-4510-2. GRADES 3–5. ADDITIONAL.
Frustrated and bored with the way humans give animal reports, a group of wild animals have assembled to share their knowledge about each other. With twenty various creatures stepping forward in turn to provide details about their chosen subjects, the assembly soon devolves into a humorous take on elementary school class presentations. Just as in a classroom, the results are uneven: some are natural speakers who know their subjects well, some talk about random trivia of personal interest, some are completely unprepared, and some are comically misinformed. Originally published in the Netherlands, Forest-Flier’s English version maintains the intended sense of humor overall, although there are several confusing moments when characters interrupt one another and sidetrack conversations. Van Haeringen’s charming mixed-media animal illustrations are evenly distributed throughout and greatly enhance the text. Back matter includes an index and a note on the illustrations. Although not the best option for those in need of animal facts, Dumon Tak’s unique book is a good offering for reluctant readers who enjoy animal antics.
Jennifer Taylor—Palo Alto City Library