Review by Booklist Review
Sinking her teeth into an ever-popular topic, Gibbons injects a healthy dose of snake basics, delivered in her customary matter-of-fact style and illustrated with spattery, labeled watercolor portraits of dozens of different species, pictured mostly in natural settings. Although her worldwide-range map wrongly indicates that there are no snakes in Madagascar or Southeast Asia, the art is otherwise accurate and livened with the occasional touch of drama. Overall, the presentation is pitched at just the right level of detail to inform and engage younger readers. Along with covering major physical structures, markings, hunting behavior, and life cycles, this outing closes with a cautionary note about human encroachment on snake habitats, plus a page of extra facts. As with nearly all her work, it merits a place in most libraries, and will slither quickly off the shelves.--Peters, John Copyright 2008 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 4-This addition to Gibbons's long list of publications is typical, with a slightly oversize format; sketchbook-style illustrations; and a simple, readable text. It covers such topics as physical characteristics, locomotion, hunting techniques, and eating habits. Mating, while mentioned, is not depicted, nor is the actual birth of viviparous species. Strangely, while the animals are described as "cold-blooded" on the jacket flap, it is not mentioned in the text, though readers are told that "Snakes can regulate their body temperatures by moving to warmer or cooler areas." The illustrations depict a colorful array of creatures against their bright-hued grass, desert, and water habitats. Additional factoids are appended. Not as simple as the easy-reader style of Jennifer Dussling's Slinky, Scaly Snakes (DK, 1998) or Sarah L. Thomson's Amazing Snakes! (HarperCollins, 2006), or as demanding as Laurence Pringle's elegant Snakes! (Boyds Mills, 2004) or Dorothy Hinshaw Patent's handsome Slinky, Scaly, Slithery Snakes (Walker, 2000), Gibbons's offering will be enjoyed by young researchers and budding herpetologists.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY (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
Gibbons uses clear, straightforward language to inform readers about a wide variety of snakes. What they eat, where they live, and how harmless many are to humans are all clearly explained. Often viewed as slithery and scary, the reptiles are here rendered more approachable through soft but detailed and accurate paintings. Lesser-known facts (e.g., snakes don't have eyelids) add interest. (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.
