Customer Reviews

Magnificent Mammals (Marvels of Creation)

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This is a wonderful book that surveys thirty different mammals. Each page spread includes a quality photo of the animal being discussed, as well as a box containing some basic information (classification, size, life span), a special (Creationism) design feature, and an interesting fact about the animal. The introduction includes a brief discussion of some problems with evolutionary theory, and observations of how specific animals show intelligent design, however these observations are included throughout the book for each animal covered.

The main text of each page flows nicely, making the pages a little more readable than the typical fact book. In looking at each animal, it is not always as clear what region of the world the animals come from, however most of the animals are easily recognizable (for adults or older children). The book is not indexed, but the table of contents is sufficient for finding the animals you wish to read about. There is also a neat little appendix with footprint sketches of some of the animals, a glossary of animal-related terms used in the book, and a bibiliography.

Although I like Pocket Factfiles: Mammals better for variety, I appreciate the Creation viewpoint of this book, and the steady reflection of animals as products of intelligent (and very creative!) design. Because it has less detail than other animal fact books, I would use this book with younger (elementary/middle grade)children, those looking particularly for a Creation perspective, or someone with a particular interest in animals.

I've been reading this book aloud to my children for about a week. The little children can do about 4 animals at a time and then need a break. The older kids want me to keep reading!


The photos are absolutely beautiful!


This book is perfect for studying South America and Africa. The pictures are simply gorgeous and the facts are very interesting.


I love the very first paragraph of the book:


"It seems that no matter what book about wildlife we read, God isn't even mentioned. Wildlife programs are full of indoctrination in evolution. This book erases all evolutionary concepts and gives God the glory for His creation."


It won me over right there!

This book is written more like an encyclopedia form. It would be excellent for writing reports and essays.


I would highly recommend this book for ANY age!

Blessings to you! You are loved!
Note: I was sent complimentary copy for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated. The review was my honest opinion and views and not influenced by the sponsor in any way.

This year, as we're planning to study Land Mammals, I thought this book would make a great supplement to our science studies once again, and I was not disappointed.

About the Sea Creatures book, I said:

" . . . a full-page picture (in full color) on the left hand side, and an information page on the right. In addition to the information, each page also contains a box with extra information about each creature, such as scientific name, length, weight, life span, special design features, and a "did you know?" fact. The color pictures are real photographs, and are bright and eye-catching. The information is easy to read, yet very informative and interesting."

That same description holds true for the Magnificent Mammals book as well. Some other things that I like about this book are the fact that they don't just share about common, everyday mammals; but, instead, include some more unfamiliar mammals such as the two-toed sloth and the echidna. The back of the book contains an appendix with sketches of each mammal's footprint and a handy-dandy glossary of terms.

I've come to expect quality, educational products from Master Books and New Leaf Publishing. I can trust them to include God and Creationism, which is something I really appreciated when using books to educate my children. The very first paragraph in the introduction by the authors sums it up perfectly:

"It seems that no matter what book about wildlife we read, God isn't even mentioned. Wildlife programs are full of indoctrination in evolution. This book erases all evolutionary concepts and gives God the glory for His creation."

And to that I say emphatically "Amen!"

My children love this book! As a matter of fact, it is written as a team effort, by the Answers in Genesis staff. The staff includes many Ph.D. scientists who are very respected in the scientific community. Included in this list are: Please notice all of the (Dr. & Ph.D's) in front of many of these great scientits names: Brian A. Catalucci, Dr. John Baumgardner,Donald Chittick, Ph.D, Dr. David Crandall,Buddy Davis,Dr. David DeWitt ,Dr. Donald DeYoung, James Gardner, Ken Ham, Bodie Hodge, Bill Jack, Carl Kerby, Dr. Jason Lisle, Dr. David Menton, Dr. Tommy Mitchell,Dr. Terry Mortenson, Michael Oard,Dr. Gary Parker,Dr. Georgia Purdom,Mike Riddle
"Uncle Robbie" Robinson, Dr. Andrew Snelling, Geoff Stevens, Dr. John Whitcomb, Paul Taylor, Simon Terry ... If you need their personal biographies, you can go to AnswersinGenesis.org

Anyone who would criticize this book as "non-scientific" needs to "INSPECT what they EXPECT" and be careful to back up their view point with true facts, not just empty words.

Matthew 12:30: " He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters."

Strong words.....from Jesus. This is pretty clear...that neutrality is not an option.

I never considered this verse when I first began homeschooling...or for that matter, when I began purchasing books for my children. I thought...."well, if a book has good content and great pictures (and exposes evolution)....then, I will just 'add God to it'. Because I need to equip my children to speak to others.....

Yes....that is true. But consider this....why not purchase a book that has God's design/words through out......and 'add in your own words' the world's view about evolution......if wanting to bring that into your child's mind.

So...what do you do? Where do you go to find good, fun, easy to read books about anything that includes God and his creation based on.......the fact that he did create all things and he did it in six days?



Mater Books/New Leaf Publishing has a wonderful book series: Marvels Of Creation written by Buddy & Kay Davis (members of the Answers in Genesis Staff) that provides you with wonderful information keeping God at the center of His creation.

Magnificent Mammals is jam-packed information about 30 mammals from the American Bison to the Two-Toed Sloth, the Wombat and the Zebra. We enjoyed sitting down as a family (and even a few friends joined us) as we read the wonderful facts about mammals...the animals God created on the 6th day, right before he created Man!


The books teaches you and your children about the size of the animal...their life span and special design features of each animal...all with a specific purpose created by our Heavenly Father. This sweet/fun and beautifully illustrated book does not stop there.....the beginning of the book...the introduction is amazing. I generally skip over Intros (sad, but true)....because the information is generally found in the rest of the text. This book, though provides you with interesting facts about God's design and a new thought process (perhaps) on evolution....and why we don't need to be reading it to our children...or to ourselves, for that matter!

We learned a lot about all of the mammals discussed, but one special characteristic caught our eyes....about two animals: The Porcupine and the Beaver....but, don't take my word for it, listen to the Knight and his Princess tell you...what we learned!

Disclosure: This video was created by amateurs...a Mom and her children (and a friend)...having fun....some may not be audible....information regarding the video is at the end of this post....sit back...have fun and giggle a little!




The Princess is my beautiful daughter...an 8 year old attempting to read some information she learned from this sweet book about the Porcupine and the Beaver, while handling a puppet....that was not easy for me....but, she did great. What she was explaining is that both animals have bright orange teeth....the Porcupine for eating their favorite food: bark....and the Beaver to help cut down trees! Isn't God amazing.....two animals, same color teeth (orange)....both for meeting their needs on this amazing Earth He created!

Are you ready for some more fun!!!! Master Books is hosting a twitter party.....and will have some special prizes for attendees. Please, visit the other MasterBooks Twitter Moms for their reviews of this book and others....details are found here: At New Leaf Publishing:

Date: Thursday, May 19
Time: 8:00 p.m. CST Location:
Use the @masterbooks4u and #teachthetruth Twitter aliases to follow and participate.


(Disclosure, I received a free copy of this book from New Leaf Publishing for my honest opinion. I did not receive any other compensation.)

Predation as magnificence! not really. Predation is extreme cruelty, and for a little fun and excitement the bio-engineers decided to sell us predators as sport. I re-examined this stuff I was sold as a kid myself lately having run into some real predators and learned first hand what terrible suffering is. This stuff for kids is vile, such "adventures" are best kept to imagination only and kids should learn early the difference between exciting adventurous games and genuine harm to other creatures like in real predation schemes. The most valuable lesson you can teach your kids is that the reality of war is much different from fun playful games of soldiering, the truth of real cruelty is much more evil than the same illusions that give us fun in our dreams. Imaginary danger and conflict is exciting, real is real pain and can end in total loss of love, trust and life. Death and torture is the ultimate boredom and is neither fun or exciting. Fulfillment of good desires is exciting though. Fulfilling your desire for excitement in deep play is exciting. Just never drink and drive and make it a REALITY.

Another illusion they sell us is that enduring great pain and loss will make us stronger. It does not. Enduring pain and horror is the lowest form of strength. Real strength does not end in loss. Much higher is the ability to avoid cruelty, death and destruction. Look how beautiful the lion is?! Are predators charismatic, beautiful and exciting. No. But they appear at first to be, like all tyrants, like Hitler, like all sexual predators and all creators of genocide, hateful religions and abuses - all of them at first project much apparent power and charisma, but the power is false and leads to great loss not victories. It is in fact a weakness disguised as power. We are endangering our kids and children by not teaching them the poison in the pretty. Adults are equally susceptible strangely and end up dead all over the world because of the illusion of charismatic predators as being powerful. It starts young and this is the beginning. If you want to teach your kids anything teach them compassion for these poor creatures and not some admiration for how magnificent predators are. They are trapped in those bodies and forced to commit terrible cruel things to other small creatures. We need to question the design of this world because it is neither kind nor intelligent. I believe we could cure death, disease, war and predation, and our kids could be the ones that do this. Start them out early and teach them the problems and possible solutions. Alternative diets for predators. Laws that prevent bio-engineering of animatronic animals that are harmed because of design etc....

If you're looking for a non-fiction book about mammals, this is not for you. Although this title is classified as juvenile literature (non-fiction), it belongs on a religion shelf beside stories about Noah and Adam & Eve. From a scientific perspective, it's a bit scary and provides a disservice to American youth interested in pure science.