Bark scorpion

All that a young arachnologist would want to know about the bark scorpion appears in this installment in the Desert Animals Searchin' for Shade series. The large-font sentences and highlighted vocab words accompany open-ended questions at the end of each two-page spread, and each section following the page turn provides the informative answer. Full-color, sometimes full-page photos, paired with helpful captions, reveal the eight-legged creatures and their parts, such as pincers and stingers, as well as some behaviors, like baby scorpions riding on an adult scorpion's back. The end material includes information on writing a report on the bark scorpion and a short picture glossary. Though demand for a book about such a specific creature might seem slim, kids who love animals, especially the creepy kind, will find plenty to like about this title.--Linsenmeyer, Erin Copyright 2015 Booklist

Gr 1-3-At first glance, this series looks similar to Bearport's "Arctic Animals" series, but necessarily, the information varies, dropping seasonal changes, and is inconsistent from book to book. Every title includes a map of the animal's range, with only camels found outside the Western hemisphere. Anticipatory questions are included, but only Camel attempts to relate data in ways that will resonate with readers. The concluding "Science Lab" suggestions mostly include reports and dioramas. Photos are labeled, with insets used over full-page images, which tie in well with the text. Smaller photos provide more detail or context. Collared Lizard is the weakest of the series because of some awkward phrases and questions. VERDICT Though this set isn't quite as strong as other series by this publisher, these popular animals will still intrigue readers. © Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.