Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 2-4. This colorful book from the publisher's Wildlife series discusses the physical features and behaviors of snakes. Each double-page spread focuses on more specific topics: bodies, food, hibernation, types of movement, and babies. Well designed to illustrate the particular subjects under discussion, the precise paintings show a variety of snakes in their habitats. Cross-sections reveal details of internal anatomy. The closing pages feature pictures of snakes from each of the six continents where they live, an illustrated glossary, and a discussion of how snakes help people and why people fear snakes. An attractive introduction to the subject. --Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2005 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-A straightforward, if bland, text offers basic information on the legless reptiles' general anatomy, habitats, diets, hunting and feeding techniques, defense mechanisms, egg-laying and birth of young, and usefulness to humans. Most of the short paragraphs of text are set on backgrounds of realistic watercolor paintings depicting one or more representative snakes in natural settings. In some sections, one or two smaller pictures of different species or details of anatomy are overlaid on the main illustrations. A few cross-sections show the creatures' internal organs or other body parts (e.g., Jacobson's organ, jawbone, liver, stomach, etc.). In all, close to three dozen species are depicted. Captions identify species by common names. "Snake Fact" boxes appear in most sections with miscellaneous information. Although competently written and attractively illustrated, this title offers nothing, in either style or content, that distinguishes it from the many other introductions to the subject already available.-Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In a brief overview, general information about snake habitat, physiology, food, movement, and life cycle is offered in plain language for beginning researchers. The realistic illustrations add interest, as in the case of a head-on view of a Western diamondback rattlesnake. The account concludes that human fear of snakes can be overcome through education. Glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
