Tigers ANNOTATION
Discusses the physical characteristics, behavior, habitat, life cycle, and endangered status of tigers.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Why do tigers have stripes? Where do they live? How do they hunt? Why are they in danger? This outstanding nonfiction book for young readers explores the fascinating world of tigers. Filled with stunning photographs from the Wildlife Conservation Society, this is the first title in an I Can Read Book series about the most exciting, beautiful, and endangered animals on the earth — and what people can do to help them in their fight for survival.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Susan Hepler, Ph.D.
Illustrated with photographs of tigers in the wild, this easy-to-read informational book packs a lot into thirty-two pages. Information about how tigers hunt food, the raising of cubs, typical behaviors, and the need to conserve the habitat of tigers is included. The author scales straightforward prose to the level a first or second grader can grasp with some perfect stretches, such as a wonderful comparison of a tiger stalking. "If you walked a slowly as a hunting tiger, it would take you ten minutes to get from home plate to first base." Numerous reasons are given for the cited statistic that a hundred years ago there were a hundred thousand tigers and now there are fewer than six thousand. A back note about the Wildlife Conservation Society in this "I Can Read Book" tells more about the Society's efforts to conserve tigers and gives a website young readers can log onto. All in all, it is a valuable resource for nonfiction readers, for report writers, for new readers, and less able older readers with its solid information and full color photographs. 2004, HarperCollins, Ages 4 to 8.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 3-Riveting full-color photos, simple vocabulary, and large print make this an appealing choice for beginning readers. Featuring images from the Wildlife Conservation Society, the book is not divided into sections, but does supply details about the tiger's striped patterns, hunting habits, weight, cubs, and territorial behavior. There is an emphasis on species endangerment and preservation. Although the facts are clearly presented, the tone is sometimes too simplistic, such as "All cats are hunters, just like tigers. House cats are pets." When describing the tiger's size, it is misleading to say that its weight of 550 pounds is "-more than two baby elephants," when elephants can weigh between 250 and 320 pounds at birth. Tigers are said to live in "-forests or jungles or swamps," or the snows of Russia, or "-parts of India," but there is no mention of other countries, and there is no map. Don Middleton's Tigers (PowerKids, 1999) gives slightly more information, has easy vocabulary, and is better written.-Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, Waterford, NJ Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Majestic tigers with glowing eyes "burning bright" are the focus of this early reader, part of the respected I Can Read series. Simple but interesting information is effectively conveyed in the text, covering camouflage, prey, life cycle, environment, and endangerment issues. The methods that scientists use to study tigers are clearly explained, with concluding recommendations for ways to sustain and increase the world tiger population, all written in straightforward sentences that first- and second-graders can understand. An author's note directed to adults provides additional information about tigers and the Wildlife Conservation Society, which provided the stunning photographs that illustrate tiger behavior in this volume. The photos include a snarling tiger on the cover as well as striking shots of tigers sunning, stalking, swimming, striding, and stretching. This well-written volume will be useful for beginning research reports as well as for early reading practice. (Easy reader/nonfiction. 5-8)
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