From School Library Journal
Gr 4-7-Bright photographs will draw students to this book, but the text may confuse them. Adaptation is discussed very broadly under four main categories: "Fitting In" (adapting to surroundings), "Staying Safe" (thwarting predators), "Getting Food," and "Making a New Generation." Each right-hand page includes a few lines of text, a related close-up color photo, and the question, "What's this animal's adaptation?" The answer is on the verso along with two other examples and photos (often small) of the particular type of adaptation mentioned. For example, in "Fitting In: Water," the question refers to a picture of a puffer fish. Turning the page, readers find that the fish has gills, which allow it to live in water. Other animals considered on this page are the tapir, which can hear, see, and breathe in water because its ears, eyes, and nose are located high on its head; and the flamingo, whose long legs and webbed feet allow it to stand in the water, long neck allows it to dive for food, and glands excrete extra salt from salt water. Most adaptations discussed are physical, but some are behavioral. A final section shows a picture of a group of people. "Human beings are animals too. What's this animal's adaptation?" is followed by a series of photographs under the same four categories used in the rest of the book. The sound-bite approach to information and layout makes this volume better for browsing than reports.
Sally Bates Goodroe, formerly at Harris County Public Library, Houston, TX
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 2-5. After a short introduction about adaptation, the photographs and text demonstrate how animals fit into their environment, stay safe, obtain food, and reproduce. Brief, informative statements are illustrated with a photograph; on the bottom of the page is a question designed to stimulate scientific thinking. On the verso page, the question is answered, and related information is offered, all accompanied by smaller photographs. The final section reminds readers that "human beings are animals too," and photographs show people getting food, using language, and living in a community. One picture, captioned "making a new generation," shows a young man and woman walking hand in hand. This will not be clear for the intended audience, but otherwise both narrative and photographs are understandable, engaging, and informative. Not homework material, but well suited for both classroom and browsing. Linda Perkins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
