How to Be a Nature Detective ANNOTATION
Anyone can learn to be a nature detective and tell what animals have been around, if he learns to recognize clues, especially different footprints.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Who left those tracks? Who lives in that hole? Study animal tracks and other clues to find out more about the world around us in this book, originally published in 1966.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Judy Katsh
Explaining that natural scientists use clues to investigate the natural world, the author leads young readers through that investigative process. First they examine a set of tracks, then they collect information about the animals that left those tracks, and finally they deduce what happened based on information revealed by the tracks. It's a complicated notion made understandable and appealing by clear writing, up-close illustrations, and satisfying resolutions. Part of the "Let's Read and Find Out Science" series.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2A longstanding library staple has been rewritten and newly illustated with full-color art. While there are many ways to observe nature, Selsam focuses on animal tracks. Her text is simple, using questions to motivate beginning readers. Comparisons of domestic animals lead to observations in a forest, pondside, and at the shore. Brief descriptions include hints to identify tracks created in snow, soil, or sand, and how to tell whether or not the creature was being pursued by an enemy. Attractive double-page illustrations done in soft natural tones establish the animal habitats and make specific tracks easy to locate and identify. A good introduction to the topic, but to broaden the scope of the many clues in nature, look to Jim Arnosky's Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places (Macmillan, 1990).Diane Nunn, Richard E. Byrd Elementary School, Glen Rock, NJ
BookList - Carolyn Phelan
PreschoolGr. 2. The new edition of a Let's-Read-and-Find-Out title first published in 1966, this version features a somewhat revised and abbreviated text and new, full-color artwork. With good interplay of words "and illustrations, the book shows children how to look for tracks and clues leading to deductions about the presence and activities of various animals. An appealing re-creation of an old favorite.
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