National Geographic Encyclopedia of Animals [Hardcover]

Karen McGhee (Author), George Mc Kay Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Get ready to take a walk on the wild side! National Geographic Children's Books' brand-new reference work provides families and children with everything they need to know about the animal kingdom.

You'll meet more than 1,000 animals as you explore the pages of National Geographic Encyclopedia of Animals. This comprehensive volume introduces the entire animal kingdom: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and all kinds of invertebrates, from sea squirts to worms and spiders.

Your tour of the animal kingdom will take you to every corner of the planet—from rugged mountain slopes to ocean depths and from steamy jungles to baking deserts and icy polar regions.

First, you'll find out just what an animal is, where animals live, how they behave, and why some are endangered. Then the parade of animals begins, each group in its own color-coded section. A lively introductory essay pointing out each group's distinguishing features is followed by page after page of stunning illustrations, engaging text, fun facts, maps, and more about the amazing range of animals within each group. The vibrant illustrations seem to crawl, chatter, screech, growl, and jump off every page. There's also a glossary to help with all the new terms you'll be learning, and a comprehensive index makes it easy to find just the animal you need for that report you're writing or just to satisfy your curiosity.

You'll find: More than 1,000 species vividly illustrated Fascinating facts at your fingertips Range maps for all major groups of animals Cross-sections and cutaways Photo essays that show animals in their habitats The latest conservation data Features on scientific discoveries and breakthroughs Scientific and common names for all animals Size listings for all illustrated animals Contents prepared under the direction of an international authority on animal sciences Comprehensive glossary and index

The animal kingdom is the greatest show on Earth, and National Geographic Encyclopedia of Animals puts it all at your fingertips.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4 Up—This lavish, ambitious volume contains full-color illustrations of more than 1500 species. Each brief entry includes common and scientific names and mention of an interesting physical or behavioral trait. Range maps show where each animal is found, and conservation data notes which species are extinct, endangered, or vulnerable. In addition to the realistic drawings, there are dramatic photos of animals in their habitats, such as one of a distraught Arctic seal pup caught in a discarded fishing net as its mother looks on. Introductory pages discuss the animal kingdom and classification as well as behavior, senses, communication, habitats, and endangerment. Readers may be alarmed to learn that "Even the great mass extinction 65 million years ago…did not destroy as many species as are dying out now." Subsequent chapters are devoted to mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. Chapters begin with discussions of commonalities and differences as well as the reproduction and behavior of each group. Boxed fast facts, diagrams, and visuals of life cycles offer additional information. The small print and the more challenging vocabulary make this update more suitable for older readers than the 2000 edition, which contained fewer species but offered more information about each one. While most species are listed by name in the index, popular creatures such as the lion, tiger, and cheetah appear under "cats" with no "see" references. Nonetheless, animal enthusiasts will go wild for this fascinating, colorful edition, most suitable for browsing.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

From Booklist

With more than 1.5 million species, the animal kingdom is an endless source of fascination, and this beautifully detailed animal encyclopedia, though intended for ages eight and up, is sure to fascinate and enlighten readers of all ages. Color illustrations and photographs of more than 1,000 species dominate the pages. Providing authoritative, up-to-date information on everything from life cycle and survival strategies of major animal groups to fast facts on specific species, this reference also boasts distribution maps and conservation information for many animal groups.

Coverage begins with a concise introduction to the animal world, including information on classification, habitats, and a brief mention of conservation and the loss of species. The book then divides into six color-coded chapters, each comprising one of the major animal groups. The first five chapters are devoted to vertebrates and the last to invertebrates. Three to five color photographs adorn the double-page introduction to each chapter. Introductory text summarizes distinctive characteristics and behaviors unique to each group, including evolution, reproduction, differences between young and adult, and communication. Labeled diagrams provide information on particular aspects, such as different types of bird feathers.

After the introduction, each chapter is organized by main animal groups and, in some cases, subgroups. Classification data are provided as well as additional information on the physical characteristics, life cycle, and other features. The illustrations of species are labeled with common and scientific names, and many also include icons indicating conservation status.

Though not comprehensive, the glossary of almost 150 words is a nice feature. The nicely organized section on animal sizes lists each species shown in the book along with its largest normal size (length, height, width, or wingspan, depending on the animal group). The book concludes with an index of animals and general concepts.

This appealing and reasonably priced resource is recommended for school and public libraries. Heather Heyduk
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (October 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 079225936X
• ISBN-13: 978-0792259367
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 1 x 12.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,672 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Veterinary
  • #11 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Children's
  • #13 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A little disappointed, but still a nice book, December 17, 2006

By 

ltnbrn (Ohio) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: National Geographic Encyclopedia of Animals (Hardcover)

I bought this with the idea of reading it with our daughter in the future. It has some good information in it, and of course some nice pictures. But I was hoping for more comprehensive info, like what a particular animal eats, where it sleeps, its behaviors, etc. But the book is limited by its size. It'd have to be much bigger to have all that data. It has brief explanations and descriptions. It is a good book to introduce many of the numerous animals.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great but not many photos, June 18, 2008

By 

J. Hoffman (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: National Geographic Encyclopedia of Animals (Hardcover)

I think this book is excellent content-wise. However, it has mostly drawings of animals, not actual photos. I was disappointed in this as the other reviews seemed to suggest it has lots and lots of pictures--these pictures are actually drawings (which are very well done) and they are indeed very plentiful, but I will be sending it back for a book with more actual photos of animals.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Same high quality as the 1st ed., but with a prettier front cover, January 14, 2007

By 

A. Arbogast (Midwest USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: National Geographic Encyclopedia of Animals (Hardcover)

I bought this encyclopedia for my 7 year-old daughter who is obsessed with the great cats. She was thrilled! We had borrowed the previous edition (with the tree frog on the front) from the library, so I already knew that she loved the book. But now, with the tiger on the front, it's one of her favorite possessions. We're a month past Christmas, and she is still consulting this book regularly, drawing pictures of the various animals shown in full-color, and learning so many facts that she's becoming a walking encyclopedia herself. The organization and layout is very user-friendly. This is not an alphabetized A-Z book of animals. The mammals, insects, birds, etc. are all groups according to categories of related creatures. This is a very helpful feature. We give the book two thumbs up!!