From School Library Journal
Gr 3-4 Each slim volume of this unnumbered set is devoted to a single familiar animal, from ants to zebras, and contains a concise, simply written account of its varieties, behavior, reproduction, history, and relations with humans. Five kinds of birds and insects are surveyed; the remaining animals are mammals. The texts are supported by brief but current lists of books and Web sites, plus an index chock-full of cross-references to other volumes. The profuse photos, mostly big and bright, include such memorable images as a man standing on a clutch of ostrich eggs to demonstrate their toughness, and numerous close-up shots of the ever-lovely bat. Difficult topics, such as the mechanism of echolocation, or why dolphins sometimes strand themselves, are discussed in specific but not intimidating detail, and every volume concludes with an evenhanded look at the whys and wherefores of keeping animals in captivity. Although too limited to be an alternative to such reference tools as the Grolier Illustrated Encyclopedia of Animals (Grolier Educational, 1993), this set would be a popular additional purchase for libraries serving nature enthusiasts, and, indexing aside, fits comfortably into circulating collections, too. John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
