Why Do Snakes Hiss?: And Other Questions about Snakes, Lizards, and Turtles FROM THE PUBLISHER
Many people like snakes, lizards, and turtles, and there's so much to find out about all ofthese scaly-skinned animals. Are all snakes poisonous? Why do snakes shed their skin? What unusual things can lizards do? Do lizards ever lose their tails? Why do turtles have shells? Kids will find the answers—and much more—in this fun, fact-filled introduction to reptiles. Filled with colorful photographs and illustrations, this is just right for any reptile lover.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot
Holub answers commonly-asked questions about snakes as well as lizards and turtles. They range from simple questions about size and variety to more complex ones such as whether snakes are poisonous, what and how they eat and how they move, see and hear. The same format is followed when discussing lizards and turtles. The concluding pages discuss extinction and whether or not a reptile makes a good pet. There are excellent photographs of these reptiles and the kids who obviously care for and enjoy their pets along with occasional drawings. While reptiles are not the pet of choice for many adults, kids are generally more open-minded and the information presented can dispel fears and may help kids consider a reptile as a pet. As to the question posed by the title—snakes hiss to scare enemies. This series by Holub is similar to the "I Wonder Why" books from Kingfisher. A Dial "Easy-To-Read" Level 3 book which features harder words and a longer text for kids who are reading on their own. 2004, Dial/Penguin, Ages 6 to 8.
School Library Journal
Gr 2-4-Holub starts each of these series entries with a broad view of the featured animals and answers questions such as "How many different kinds of birds are there?" and "How do snakes move?" After addressing general questions, the author poses some inquiries for potential pet owners. "Are pet birds easy to take care of?" and "What should I know before getting a pet reptile?" Both books have interesting color photographs and illustrations; bright, colorful headings for the questions; and parenthetical pronunciation guides. The writing style is lively and informative. Like Julia Barnes's 101 Facts about Terrarium Pets (Gareth Stevens, 2002) and Angela Wilkes's Birds (Kingfisher, 2002), these attractive easy-readers are sure to be in constant circulation.-Heather Ver Voort, Washington West Elementary, Olean, NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Younger readers with an affinity for all creatures green and scaly will linger over both the sharply detailed photos and the easy but specific text in this three-part Q&A. Holub poses and answers about a half-dozen similar questions for each type of reptile-how many kinds are there? What are the biggest and smallest ones? How well can they see, hear, and smell?-then closes with some basic provisos for prospective pet owners. With DiVito's small watercolors filling in some gaps, the illustrations include well-lit shots of animals eating, posing, and enduring handling by confident-looking children, both in natural settings and with backgrounds removed. Some recommendations for further reading or Web viewing wouldn't have been amiss, but the steady course steered here between the empty hype and numbing barrages of undigested fact offered by similar titles earns it above average marks. (Easy reader/nonfiction. 6-8)
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