Albino Animals [School & Library Binding]

Kelly Milner Halls (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Discover more about the special challenges faced by albino animals that exist in virtually every species on Earth. Vivid photography of unusual albino animals gives this book strong appeal.

--This text refers to an alternate School & Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6–Halls's curiosity and awe of albino animals is evident in her writing as she tracks down incidents of this genetic wonder around the world and across species. After overcoming the incredible odds against inheriting the recessive gene for albinism from both parents, these unique creatures begin life having already used up the greater part of their luck. Their striking white appearance leaves them exposed to the sharp eyes of predators, and the lack of melanin in their skin makes them particularly vulnerable to the harmful rays of the sun. The author's discussion consists mainly of a reiteration of these two dangers for each new animal she introduces, resulting in somewhat tedious repetition. The stories rarely have happy endings. The striking cover photo of an albino mouse is likely to draw in curious animal lovers, but the rodent's bulging red eyes provide a clue that this is not a cute, snuggly book. The effect of a white animal on a white background may be appealing on the cover, but the internal photographs become washed out and at times leave their subjects looking more freakish than they truly are. Still, this is an acceptable addition for libraries seeking to satisfy a demand for information on this intriguing topic.–Jenna Miller, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-7. Piercing, ruby-red mouse eyes peer out from the stark, white cover of this introduction to albino creatures. In chapters grouped by animal category (reptiles and amphibians, sea mammals, and so on), the lively text cites real-life examples of albino animals and discusses the special concerns that albinism raises in each species. Halls' text is clear and straightforward, but younger children may still have trouble grasping the complicated genetic concepts. The sharp, close-up images of startling, snow-white species will attract a wide range of browsers, though, as will the bizarre anecdotes: Miss Vicki, an albino pug, wears "doggles" to protect her sensitive eyes from sunlight. A final chapter about human albinism echoes Halls' message: all instances of albinism are "beautiful examples of nature's diversity." The wild facts and eye-popping visuals will encourage children to learn more about the underlying basic science. A glossary and a bibliography close this substantive picture book for older readers. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 72 pages
• Publisher: Darby Creek Pub (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581960123
• ISBN-13: 978-1581960129
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

For the past 15 years, Kelly Milner Halls has crafted high interest nonfiction books and articles for young readers. Known for quirky but well researched topics, Halls delights in drawing even reluctant readers into the realm of discovery through the explorations of dinosaurs, Sasquatch, UFO's or dozens of other unusual themes. She makes her home in Spokane, WA with two daughters, one Pug, too many cats and a 4 foot iguana named Gigantor. She speaks at schools and conferences all over the country. Halls also works as YA novelist Chris Crutcher's assistant.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only creatures that can reflect every color in the rainbow, July 27, 2005

By 

E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Albino Animals (School & Library Binding)

When I was a child I scoured the Kalamazoo Public Library for any and all books on the topic of albinism. This was in the days before the Internet, and my searches through periodical lists yielded paltry results at best. I tell you here and now that I would have killed, KILLED I say, for this book. "Albino Animals" is probably the best non-fiction book on albinism currently available to youngsters. On top of that, the subject matter is just this side of fascinating. In it, we are privy to some of the rarest and most beautiful animals in the world. If you've a kid that absolutely has to read a non-fiction book on a topic of their choice, try persuading them along these lines.

Author Kelly Milner Halls begins with a brief explanation of the reasons behind albinism. She breaks down the complicated genetics between dominant and recessive genes and gives a thorough yet interesting explanation of what it means to lack pigment. Then we're off! The book is divided between the different kinds of animals in the world today. There are reptiles, sea mammals, land mammals (both large and small), fish, birds, and an enticing chapter simply called, "The Rarest of the Rare". Flip through some pages and you'll see sights to astonish and amaze. Who knew that albino butterflies, carrying shades of the palest softest pinks, could be so lovely? What about peacocks with feathers of a brilliant and entirely pure white? Here you can view remarkable white spiky hedgehogs and incredibly lovely and stylish white Bengal cats. Best of all are the stories Halls tells. Whether you're learning about the life of Snowflake the white gorilla or how Mulali the albino kangaroo made a friend, the tales told here are as variegated as the creatures they speak of. There's even a large section on various towns in America that have spent years cultivating themselves as homes to white squirrels.

In the back of the book Halls makes sure to offer information on NOAH, the National Organization for Albinism (for people) as well as an impressively in-depth glossary of terms and Bibliography. The Bibliography is so extensive that it catalogues the interviews performed by the author, the articles researched, books read, and websites cited. This is information I would have killed for as a kid. Best of all, your average child reader will find the text just as interesting as the drop-dead-gorgeous-photographs. You'll come away from this book with a sense that people everywhere find albino animals in the wild to be beautiful and worth keeping from harm.

I can't praise this book enough. For fabulous factual information and pages of tales that anyone would find exciting, "Albino Animals" is, like its namesakes, truly one-of-a-kind.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Light, but fascinating., December 13, 2006

By 

Robert P. Beveridge "xterminal" (Lakewood, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Albino Animals (School & Library Binding)

Kelly Milner Halls, Albino Animals (Darby Creek Publishing, 2004)

Kelly Milner Halls chimes in with a book of lovely photographs of albino animals coupled with text that shows Halls' fascination with these biological rarities. Albinism is always a subject of mystery and intrigue to the younger set (and, in no small meaure, to their parents), and Halls has given us a book that serves as a very good introduction to the topic, with just enough detail to spark the interest of kids, but not enough to bore them. If your kids have expressed this sort of fascination-- or if you still have it yourself-- this is definitely worth looking up. *** ½

5.0 out of 5 stars A Science Teacher recommends this book!, August 7, 2011

By 

Tami M. Malcore "teacher" (Larsen, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Albino Animals (School & Library Binding)

Summary: I find this book to be a great find, as I teach genetics to middle school students. It briefly explains how albino animals come to be, but spends most of its time introducing the reader to a variety of animals that have this inherited trait. It organizes its chapters by type of animal including reptiles, fish, amphibians, birds, insects, and mammals (including humans). We learn that being born an albino makes survival very difficult for three main reasons - predation, poor eyesight, and the harmful rays of the sun. We also learn the difference between a true albino and a partial albino. The author includes real life stories about specific animals. You will meet Snowdrop the penquin, Lincoln the lobster, Mulali the kangaroo, Casper the bat, and many more! The information is presented in a simple and engaging style, which keeps the reader eager to learn more. I loved the section entitled Introduction, because it took time to explain the genetics behind albinism. I really enjoyed all of the animal photos, especially the ones of the peacock, hedgehog, and Mexican axolotl!