No Bones: A Key to Bugs and Slugs, Worms and Ticks, Spiders and Centipedes, and Other Creepy Crawlies [Library Binding]

Elizabeth Shepherd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1988 | Age Level: 9 and up

An introduction to the world of invertebrates and a key to their identification.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8 This well-intentioned introduction is flawed by diffuse organization, the omission of important data, and inadequately labeled drawings. After suggesting various methods for safely observing insects, spiders, and other invertebrates, the book offers a key to their identification, which is a flow chart through a series of numbered statements describing physical characteristics from which readers must choose. These eventually lead to sections identifying the animals in question, providing more detail on their physical and behavioral characteristics. Mini-keys to spiders and insects with wings are included. Approximately 100 animals, including snails, centipedes, leafhoppers, mites, etc., are briefly examined. Pen-and-ink drawings accompany the text. Although the text is accurate and clearly written, its organization is chaotic. The key, tied as it is to physical characteristics, is unnecessarily complex. Drawings accompany the text on almost every page; however, only a few are labeled. The section on ``Daddy Longlegs'' or ``Harvestmen'' fails to explain that they are not spiders, but close relatives. ``Caterpillars'' does not state that the animals are the larvae of butterflies or moths. Pringle's The Hidden World (Macmillan, 1977) is better organized and includes more detail on many of the same animals, particularly on their natural habitats. Settel's How Do Ants Know When You've Having a Picnic? (Atheneum, 1986) gives more data on the diet and survival methods of most of the same invertebrates. Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Library Binding: 96 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum (July 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0027828808
• ISBN-13: 978-0027828801
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,896,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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