Ever wished you could go on a safari in South Africa? Here's your chance. Riley gets a letter from his Uncle Max that invites him to go along with his Uncle, Aunt and Cousin, as they journey through South Africa to give the animals a "check-up." They're going to be counting the animals, particularly the baby animals to see if the numbers are going up or down. Just how are these animal populations doing these days? The book is a mixture of facts and fiction as the story leads us along and boxes of information are intermingled on the page. That makes it perfect for the readers who are looking for information and for the ones who enjoy a bit of an adventure while they're learning. Informative and entertaining. Happily, it's a series so young readers who get hooked can keep exploring.