In contrast to human babies, many newborn animals are capable of independent behavior shortly after birth. A range of newborn abilities is exemplified by animals as diverse as a kiwi ("As soon as I hatched, I was ready to take care of myself"), a wood duck ("On my first day, I jumped out of my nest ... fell a long, long way ... and paddled after my mother), and a manatee ("When I was just an hour old I was able to swim-and breathe-on my own"). While some of the creatures fend for themselves from the beginning, others, including polar bears, golden snub-nosed monkeys, and sea otters, require a parent's care. Masterful collage illustrations and a brief, engaging text are well-suited for young naturalists, and a final section offers a paragraph of additional information about each of the twenty-two species highlighted. (Ages 2-5)