Summer is the perfect time to meander through the Woodland Park Zoo with a couple of kids in tow. If your schedule is too tight to fit in a visit, colorful animal books are also a fine way to introduce kids to creatures with fur, fins and scales. Or why not explore both possibilities?

Sasquatch Books has recently published a volume destined to score high on the cuteness scale. "Alaska Animal Babies," by Deb Vanasse, photographs by Gavriel Jecan (Sasquatch, 32 pp., $10.95 pb, ages 3-8), showcases some fine photographs of rambunctious babies. Indeed, the cover shot of a young polar bear is worth the price alone. Each photo is superb, displaying crisp images from Alaska's natural world. And the accompanying text offers interesting facts about each baby.

"Carry Me! Animal Babies on the Move," by Susan Stockdale (Peachtree, 32 pp., $15.95, ages 3-7), is a picture book with appealing illustrations that show off animals and their offspring. The simple text discusses all the ways baby animals can be carried by their mothers: riding on their backs, clinging to their bellies, propped on their shoulders, etc. The final double-page spread reveals where these animals are living in the world.

Some creatures sleep during the day, while some sleep at night. "Forest Bright, Forest Night," by Jennifer Ward, illustrated by Jamichael Henterly (Dawn Publications, 32 pp., $16.95, $8.95, ages 3-8), is really made up of two stories mirroring each other. "Forest Bright" is about the animals that move about during the day, as other fellow creatures sleep. Flip the book upside down and read "Forest Night." Now the nocturnal animals are prowling about, while their daytime friends are sleeping.

Children just learning to read will enjoy "Amazing Gorillas!" by Sarah L. Thomson (HarperCollins, 32 pp., $15.99, ages 4-8). This beginning reader, written in controlled vocabulary, includes some adorable photos (though a few are a bit blurry). The easy-to-read text offers a fascinating window into the lives of gorillas, as well as a cautionary note as to how human beings should work hard to protect them.

"I See a Kookaburra! Discovering Animal Habitats Around the World," by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page (Houghton Mifflin, 32 pp., $16, ages 4-8), is a marvelously illustrated "search and find" book.

Working with collage on double-page spreads, the creators of this book have illustrated six habitats from around the world. In each one they hid eight creatures, plus one ant. Well, not completely. Readers will notice paws, wings and whiskers peeking through vines, bushes, tree limbs and other natural hiding places. For each habitat there is an accompanying key identifying the creatures living there. Finally, the last few pages offer additional information about each ecosystem.

A fascinating read for older children — a selection from the "Scientists in the Field" series — is "Gorilla Doctors: Saving Endangered Great Apes," by Pamela S. Turner (Houghton Mifflin, 64 pp., $17, ages 8-12). This volume discusses the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, which monitors the health of gorillas of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In weaving together a number of interesting anecdotes, Turner mainly focuses on gorillas habituated to the presence of humans — such gorillas are often a tourist attraction in several protected parks (though she also mentions the plight of gorillas in general). Because habituated gorillas are particularly at risk of being preyed upon by poachers — and many of these gorillas are now contracting human diseases — the MGVP works hard to ensure these animals remain safe and healthy. This book includes a number of terrific photographs. Special note: Half the royalties from this book will be donated to the Morris Animal Foundation's Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.

"Wild Dogs: Past & Present," by Kelly Milner Halls (Darby Creek, 64 pp., $18.95, ages 10-up), traces the natural history of our modern canine friends all the way back to their creodont ancestors, which were believed to be extinct some 7 million years ago. Then the author moves on to discuss all the different species of today's wild dogs, including various types of wolves, coyotes and foxes. Organized by continent, this book includes lots of informative photos, illustrations and sidebars. It offers a fascinating introduction to these intelligent, often misunderstood animals.