Review by Booklist Review
The latest title in the dependable Strange and Wonderful series presents scorpions as fascinating creatures with important roles to play in their ecosystems. Besides briefly discussing the fossil evidence of early scorpions and the place of scorpions in ancient Greek, Mayan, and Egyptian cultures, Pringle introduces a wide variety of scorpions living around the world today. The succinct, clearly written text explains the animals' physical features and habits in ways that make sense and hold the reader's attention. Attractive watercolor paintings offer close-up views of scorpions, pictures of the animals in action, and even night scenes, such as an owl attacking a scorpion or a biologist using ultraviolet light to study one in its habitat. Labeled close-ups offer clear views of body parts. Many scorpions are shown life-size, but when one is enlarged, a small silhouette nearby indicates its actual size. With its informative text and handsome illustrations, this book is a solid choice for science collections.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-7-Pringle's careful research and Henderson's painterly eye are clearly in evidence as they explore the world of scorpions. Ancient dwellers on Planet Earth, armed with often-formidable pincer-claws and tails tipped with a venomous sting, these rather unlovely and unwelcome arachnids have adapted to habitats ranging from arid deserts to tropical rain forests, all the while evolving in size and shape and habits to meet the dangers of environments and predators. Pringle does an excellent job of describing the "average" scorpion and deftly goes on to present its eating habits (no chewing, mostly slurping), courtship (daringly risky for the usually smaller males), reproduction (females give birth to live young), and predators (often larger scorpions-cannibalism seems to run in the family). The colorful paintings faithfully depict the physical makeup of many varieties and are carefully coordinated to match the text. Even libraries that have Pringle's own "golden oldie" Scorpion Man: Exploring the World of Scorpions (Scribner, 1994), an interesting look at scientist Gary Polis and his work, or Sandra Markle's Scorpions: Armored Stingers (Lerner, 2011) should still make room for this handsome, informative work.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2013. 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
Pringle cuts through misconceptions about scorpions with no-nonsense factual information about this arachnid order. Although long a part of human cultural myths and legends, only a few species worldwide--and only one in the United States--are dangerous to people. Scorpion range and habitats, hunting and feeding behaviors, and reproduction are explored, often through comparisons across scorpion species to show both variations and commonalities that define the order. The explanations of scorpion body structures, including the mesmerizing, stinger-tipped tail and sensory cells on legs and hairs, illustrate the particular adaptations that have contributed to this predator's survival over millions of years. Numerous delicate, detailed paintings of scorpions include field guide - like illustrations, often to scale, of single specimens, as well as portrayals of the scorpions in prey-or-be-preyed-upon interactions with other animals. Back matter includes a brief bibliography, websites, sources, and a pronunciation guide. danielle j. ford (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Veteran science writer Pringle delivers another stinging success with this fascinating look at the similarities and differences among the many varied species of these much feared but mostly misunderstood arachnids. Do you think scorpions will sting you and inject you with deadly venom? Not quite. Scorpions typically sting to subdue prey and protect themselves. Of 2,000 species, only about three dozen can kill a person. Only one species with a sting deadly to humans lives in the United States. The deadliest species are found in warm, tropical climates. Scorpions were on Earth before dinosaurs, and their appearance has changed little over hundreds of millions of years, though their size has. Habitats, size, coloring, mating, hunting, movement, molting, physiology and reproduction are among the many topics covered. Pringle convincingly shows readers that scorpions are fascinating creatures. The informative and engaging text is complemented by Henderson's detailed, realistic watercolors, which reveal the great diversity among the many species of scorpions. Budding arachnologists will find this an enlightening introduction. (bibliography, pronunciation guide, resources for more information) (Nonfiction. 6-10)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
