From Publishers Weekly
From this book youngsters will learn that "anthropomorphism"--ascribing human characteristics to animal communication--can be harmful to science. But they will also discover intriguing and surprising behavioral traits that will increase curiosity about human-animal relationships. In addition to the title song and dance, seven chapters explain how one fire ant tells sister worker ants where food is, how pet dogs and cats use body language, how bats call ultrasonically and fin whales and elephants rumble infrasonically, stet comma and how chimps and apes communicate with humans through Ameslan--American Sign Language. Facklam's smooth, conversational style makes fact-reading easy: ". . . the ocean is not a quiet place. . . . Oysters clack, shrimp holler, and toadfish bleat like foghorns." Each chapter briefly describes specific experiments and research leading to knowledge about animal communication. Although Johnson's black-and-white halftone drawings add variety pictorially, they impart little zest or additional information to the text. Ages 8-11.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5-- A volume loaded with interesting facts about the basic kinds of animal communication, including scents/pheromones, dances, body language, vocal expressions, echolocation, water signals, and sign language. What fun it is, too, to read about beavers' ``mudpie telegrams,'' monkeys' ``leopard alarms,'' and birds' family songs. Remarkable, also, is Facklam's inclusion of the latest scientific information, from robot bees to elephants' infrasonic communication. The pen-and-ink illustrations quietly complement the lively text. Although Janet McDonnell's Animal Communication (Childs World, 1989) is an acceptable choice for this age group, Facklam's book has a bit more text and sparkle. True, librarians may not need both, but the quality of this one shines through. --Amy Nunley, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, OH
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
