Melbourne artist and storyteller Marc Martin has created a stunning, highly illustrated children’s book about animals that have adapted to their environments so well they often blend into them. In Masters of Disguise, readers will have fun learning unique facts about each animal (did you know that sloths only poop once a week?) and searching for these camouflaged creatures in lushly illustrated scenes reminiscent of their natural environments.

The habitats featured span all continents except Antarctica, including the Redwood Forests that are home to the barn owl, the northern hemisphere ice caps where the polar bear resides, and the eucalypt forests of Australia, home to 150 different species of stick insect. Animals range from large mammals and birds, through to insects, snakes and sea creatures. The informative text is short and sweet, with lots of fun details that kids will love – look for the vine snake that does defensive farts to scare away predators!

This is a fascinating animal book for youngsters that will enthral them with fun facts, engage them with search and finds, and delight them with Martin’s always glorious watercolour images. It can be read aloud with children ages 3 and up or devoured by independent readers ages 7 and up. No matter how old the reader, this wondrous volume deserves a place on every bookshelf.

Angela Crocombe is the manager of Readings Kids.