Piranhas (True Books: Animals) [Paperback]

Elaine Landau (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: True Books: Animals

Ideal for today's young investigative reader, each A True Book includes lively sidebars, a glossary and index, plus a comprehensive "To Find Out More" section listing books, organizations, and Internet sites. A staple of library collections since the 1950s, the new A True Book series is the definitive nonfiction series for elementary school readers.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-Fish with unusual characteristics are featured in these clearly written, well-organized, and attractively formatted introductions. The texts, printed in large, boldface type, describe the general physical and behavioral characteristics common to all varieties of their respective subjects and some unique traits of individual species, and explain how to choose healthy specimens at aquarium shops or pet stores. (Piranhas stresses that these fish are definitely not recommended as pets for children, or for adults inexperienced in aquarium fish care.) Sea Horses and Siamese Fighting Fish include information on mating and egg-laying behavior. Clear, full-color photographs appear on most pages. Additional bits of information are presented in picture captions set against different colored rectangles. There are some minor flaws. Not all of the species depicted are identified by common name. Also, a small proportion of the photos seem to be mere visual padding. The lucid texts, however, make up for these minor inadequacies. Susan Grossman's Piranhas (Silver Burdett, 1994) offers some theories on reproduction (as yet little is known about breeding in the wild) and discusses the Amazon Basin habitat in more detail. Landau's title, however, is better organized and illustrated. Rebecca Stefoff's Sea Horse (Benchmark, 1996) does not provide as much detail on physical characteristics or behavior but has excellent close-up photos. Information on Siamese fighting fish is scarce. Welcome additions to natural-history collections.
Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Elaine Landau is the author of several nonfiction books for children.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Children's Press (CT) (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0516264982
• ISBN-13: 978-0516264981
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 7.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,787,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a children's book author and writing coach who loves both children and books. I've never been much of a fiction fan, I've spent my time both reading and writing nonfiction. I live in tropical Miami with my husband and son who are nonfiction lovers as well.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Peranha Piece, October 12, 2000

By 

Kay M. Hosey (Kerrville, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Piranhas (True Books: Animals) (Paperback)

This excellent book is very informative and easy to read. The pictures are large, colorful, and appealing. The information includes facts about physical features,its habitat, the many different species, habits of the fish, and dangers...both real and perceptional. It also includes suprising information that pyranahs have been found in the USA. This book will encourage children to read from cover to cover because each time the page is turned, another photo invites the reader to learn more. Great reading for research or just to satisfy your own curiosity about these amazing fish.