From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5–Starting with a mention of organisms that have no brains (jellyfish), Ehrlich moves on to consider animals with simple brains (worms, mosquitoes) that use instinct to guide them. Bigger animals with more complex cerebral activity–and what that means–are also discussed. The author then explains how humans are capable of learning, thinking, pondering, feeling, and guiding, thus making our brains the best. (He points out that all animals have a brain that is just perfect for them and their environments.) The lengthy text alternates with amusing verses, e.g., Animal brains/Have different shapes,/From little to big,/From bugs to apes. Haley's cartoon caricatures contribute to the humor. The book has a glossary, but it lacks a pronunciation guide. (How many readers are going to be able to sound out electroencephalographs or helminthologist?) The book is not detailed enough for research purposes, yet it is too advanced for youngsters without some background.
–Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
K-Gr. 3. The team who created
You Can't See a Dodo at the Zoo (2005) offers an informative yet lighthearted comparison of animal brains. Following an overview of brain functions, Ehrlich briefly discusses invertebrate, vertebrate, primate, and human brains, emphasizing that each brain provides what a particular animal needs in order to survive--whether it be instinctive behavior, tool-making skills, or verbal and written communication. Haley's colorful cartoon illustrations pick up key ideas from the text and add vivacity to the presentation, especially the humorous verses appended to each section. Although the degree of specificity varies from animal to animal, the presentation introduces a complicated subject in a way that will provide young readers with the background they need for more detailed investigations.
Kay WeismanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
