Gr 3-5 -Following a short preface that defines scientific classification in simple terms, each of these compact introductions focuses on a representative species or type of animal. In a series of spreads, the author succinctly describes the creature's distinctive physical and behavioral characteristics, habitat, diet, birth and development of young, etc., and points out key characteristics of its class. For instance, "Like all birds, a herring gull has feathers"; "All insects have six legs attached to the thorax." A sidebar in each section presents miscellaneous facts, most of which concern different characteristics of related species. Sharp, full-color photos appear on almost every page, and a simple diagram of the animal's major internal organs is included. A checklist appears opposite a "Test yourself" page that profiles an animal and asks readers if it meets the criteria for a fish, bird, etc. A table outlining the key features of six animal classes is appended. While Richard Spilsbury and Louise Spilsbury's Classifying Fish , Andrew Solway's Classifying Insects (both Heinemann Library, 2003), and Robert Snedden's What Is a Bird? and What Is an Insect? (both Sierra Club Bks, 1993) cover the same subjects in more detail, they have somewhat higher reading levels. Pyers's titles, with their colorful formats and narrower focus on the basic concept of classifying animals, will appeal to younger students of natural history.-Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library
[Page 132]. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
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