Insects

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4-- Handsome title pages are followed by 16 equally attractive, well-laid-out pages. Each item pictured is given two pages. A detailed, blown up, full-color photo of the object appears on the left; on the right is a drawing of the photo peeled back to reveal a diagram of ``what's inside.'' Single sentences scattered around both pages point to and comment on specific parts. All this is just enough to pique the interest of young readers, who are bound to pick up information on roots or pollen, or nerves and respiration. The objects range from the well-known ladybug or tulip to the more exotic stick insect or pitcher plant. The photos of the insects are stunning in their clarity, detail, and rich color. Minor drawbacks are that the interior views are neither as complex nor as visually rich as the exteriors, relative size is not indicated, there is some repetition, and a few facts seem gratuitous. Plants concentrates on flowers, omitting seeds and trees, and doesn't use cross-sections. Although not essential, the books are attractive. --Sharon Levin, University of Vermont, BurlingtonCopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.


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K-Gr 6-- These two entries follow the series's format, with many bright illustrations accompanied by brief explanations. The full-color pictures are of high quality, and the text is clear and readable. While in no way supplanting standard works such as Cole's A Bird's Body (Morrow, 1982), Burton's Birds (Facts on File, 1985), or Selsam's A First Look at Insects (Walker, 1975), these are noteworthy additions.-- Tina Smith Entwistle, Oakley Park Elementary School, MI


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