Sharks FROM THE PUBLISHER
Fascinating Facts About is an exciting new series designed to pique the interest of young people in a wide variety of subjects. Clear, vocabulary-controlled texts and colorful illustrations combine with exciting presentation and instructions for hands-on projects to make learning a memorable experience.
In this volume, young readers will learn about why a shark lowers its fins and arches its back, which shark glows in the dark, and which shark is known as the garbage can of the sea!
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Leslie Verzi Julian
Over 20,000 species of fish have been found so far with more being discovered as scientists dive deeper into the waters that surround us. One in a series of "What If" books, this one asks every question one could imagine about the aquatic kingdom and answers them with intriguing facts and detailed, yet humorous illustrations. Did you know that there is actually a fish whose job it is to clean other fish of parasites? The wrasse even swims into larger fish's mouths without being harmed. And have you ever heard of a Wobbegong? Don't let the name fool you; he is a camouflaged shark who will pounce out of seemingly nowhere. Kids and adults alike will have fun while they learn about these and so many other fascinating underwater creatures.
School Library Journal
Gr 3-6-A different topic is introduced on each double-page spread in one or two simply written paragraphs, usually printed in large type. Each spread contains many full-color illustrations of varying sizes, sometimes framed. A variety of sizes and typefaces are used for the captions, making for a cluttered layout. ``Eyewitness'' books (Knopf) do a better job on both the layout and the pictures. Thompson's illustrations aim for clarity, but those in Sharks in particular pale in comparison with the fine photographs and more sensitively detailed artwork found in other books on the subject. Kenyon's amusing cartoons appear above the border on each double-page spread; they are less successful on the final pages of ``More Fascinating Facts,'' where more realistic visuals might be expected. As for the ``Practical Projects'' touted on the cover, only one is included in each volume, and neither is very interesting or relevant. While Walker's titles may serve as browsing items to start readers on a deeper search, there are many better offerings available on both subjects.-Sylvia S. Marantz, formerly with Worthington Schools, Columbus, OH
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