From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-Two introductions distinguished by excellent, full-color photos and succinct texts. Both books briefly describe their respective topics and include a chapter on the ways people are affected by them. The bulk of the texts discusses how to collect and house the creatures and offers step-by-step instructions for conducting experiments and related activities. About a dozen species are depicted in each title. Appendixes offer the names and addresses of biological supply companies and short lists for further reading. The texts are clearly written and well organized, and the photographs are outstanding in their clarity and composition. One or two sharp images, many of which are close-ups, appear on almost every page. With its excellent visuals and simple experiments, Ants will be a useful supplement to other material about the topic. While the Silversteins' Fungi (21st Century, 1995) provides basic facts about fungi and their various methods of reproduction, it does not give as much detail on slime molds as Pascoe's book; also, it offers only a few close-up color photographs, and they are not of the same caliber as Kuhn's photos.
Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public LibraryCopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"Readers get a virtual bug's-eye view of the natural world in these beautifully photographed, succinctly written introductions. Both titles are well organized, with terms defined as they appear. However, it is the photography that is the highlight here. Different-sized, sharply focused pictures complement the text on almost every page; many are remarkably detailed, extreme close-ups of flower or insect anatomy... With their excellent photography, crisp texts, and intriguing activities, both titles will be useful additions to most natural-history sections."
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School Library Journal (March 2004) (
School Library Journal 20020201)
"Each book in the series features solid information, excellent photography, and genuine inquiry investigations. The books are ideal for teachers and students in the middle level. These well-written books are sure to generate interest in real and intriguing scientific explorations."
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ScienceScope (Febraury 2003) (
Science Scope 20020101)
"Good photos and activities and experiments suited to students in the early elementary school grades are the best features of this book."
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Science Books & Films (January-Febraury 2002) (
Science Books & Films )
"Good photos and activities and experiments suited to students in the early elementary school grades are the best features of this book."
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Science Books & Film (January 2002)
"Each book in the series features solid information, excellent photography, and genuine inquiry investigations. The books are ideal for teachers and students in the middle level. These well-written books are sure to generate interest in real and intriguing scientific explorations."
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ScienceScope (February 2003) (
Science Scope )