Reviewed with Michelle A. Gilders'
The Nature of Great Apes. Gr. 6-12. Stunning color photographs on every other page introduce the animals in these well-designed natural histories. Close-ups of a charging silverback gorilla and an amazing photograph of a Colombian poison dart frog will invite readers to learn more about the subjects. The photographs alone would make these great, but there's also plenty of information. Each volume focuses on a particular species, exploring its habitat, members, behavior, and mating habits. And along with descriptions of various aspects of the particular animal families are anecdotes of the animals' depiction in literature, myths about members of the species, and interesting tales of famous animals. These will be fine additions to both public and school libraries--for general circulation as well as reference, for adults as well as younger readers. Heather Hepler
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Product Description
Tiny and golden (in Brazil) to the relatively hefty Goliath in Africa, frogs come in a staggering assortment of forms and occupy virtually every type of habitat. The dazzling diversity of these creatures has led to their astounding success: of the 4000 species of amphibians alive today, over 3,500 are frogs, toads, or related tailless types known as anurans. Spectacular photographs and fascinating descriptions reveal every aspect of frogs: their marvelous Lycra-like skin; their long, strong legs that facilitate jumping; their relatively short life cycle; and the energy of their mating rituals, which include raucous calling, leaping, and waving. Frogs face dangers too: while the eggs and tadpoles are especially vulnerable, even the adults are a favorite delicacy of wading birds, snakes, and mammals. Also here are lively, passionate discussions of frogs' portrayal in myths and legends, the effects of pollution on their homes, and the triumph of amphibian monitoring programs in helping the population flourish.
