What is a Fish? [Paperback]

Robert Snedden (Author), Oxford Scientific Films (Photographer)

Book Description

Series: What is

What makes a fish a fish? How can creatures as different as the great white shark and the tiny minnow both belong to the same class of animals? Why are unusual creatures such as eels and seahorses considered fish, while whales and dolphins are not? Recognizing which aquatic animals are fish can be tricky but What is a Fish? makes solving the puzzle fascinating and fun.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-Concisely written and beautifully photographed, this title is an admirable introduction to a diverse group of animals. The text on each double-page spread focuses on a particular topic, such as the identification of the three main types of fish; how they breathe and move underwater; senses of sight, hearing, taste, and smell; and the functioning of special-sense organs. Food sources, defense mechanisms, and reproduction are also briefly discussed, along with unique physical or behavioral characteristics of a variety of species. Sharp, full-color photographs appear on every page, depicting close to three dozen species. With two exceptions, all of the fish shown are identified by common name. (Two species are unidentified in picture captions.) Barbara Stratton's What Is a Fish? (Watts, 1991) covers similar information, but it does not offer as much detail on anatomy. Despite some minor flaws of omission, this is an exemplary work that will appeal to browsers as well as report writers.
Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-5. In straightforward style, this handsomely designed volume presents fascinating information in large clear type, with lots of bright color photographs by Oxford Scientific Films and other dramatic illustrations. A series of double-page spreads cover how fish breathe, move, see, and hear underwater; how they reproduce; how and what they eat; and how they keep from being eaten. Technical terms (from lateral line detectors to pectoral fins) are explained in the glossary. An attractive introduction to the order and variety of one class of vertebrates. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sierra Club Books for Children (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871569248
• ISBN-13: 978-0871569240
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,830,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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