The book starts with an overview of what it means to be a “showoff in the animal kingdom, different ways that animals show off, and why when so many animals try to blend in, other try just as hard to stand out. Just like the “Partners” which is another book illustrated by John Francis, the illustrations in ‘Showoffs’ is gorgeous and detailed. You can see every feather on the brightly colored lovely cotinga. Also just like “Partners” the illustrations were my favorite part of the book. Many of the animals I had heard of such as elephant seals, but I learned something new about each animal. I had no idea that male elephant seals inflate their trunks in order to magnify their roars when they fighting with other male elephant seals during mating season. Other animals I had never even heard of such as the umbrella bird. The book could be useful to teach students about the diversity found in the animal kingdom. ( )