Review by Booklist Review
This entry in the Comparing Animal Traits series attempts to use comparisons with other mammals to help describe some of the many weird features of the platypus. Like all mammals, platypuses have fur, are warm-blooded, and produce milk, but unlike most mammals, they lay eggs and use electroreception. Some of the comparisons make a lot of sense: platypuses and beavers have a lot in common, for example, and their differences are specific and interesting. Other comparisons, such as a mountain sheep or giraffe, are somewhat baffling and distract from the title subject. Additionally, a Trait Chart on the final page confusingly indicates that both platypuses and echidnas produce live young, which contradicts an earlier chapter. Still, there are plenty of full-color photos and flashy graphics that may attract animal-loving reluctant readers.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-After establishing basic concepts, four chapters cover physical characteristics, habitat, unique behaviors and life cycle. Each chapter begins with a description of the titled animal, then goes on to compare the subject with several different animals. Grizzly bears are compared to wolverines, three-banded armadillos, wild boars, black-footed ferrets, striped skunks, American bison, jaguars, and titi monkeys. A chart in each chapter summarizes traits of the featured animal with one of the compared animals. A final chart uses six traits to compare all nine animals, three of which are characteristic of all mammals, the others of which are more species specific, such as hibernation (for grizzlies). Other than quibbles with the inconsistent use of scientific terms in the glossaries, the information is, for the most part, clear and consistent. VERDICT The unusual comparison of mammal traits makes this a series worth considering. © Copyright 2014. 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
Each presentation covers appearance, habitat, skill, and traits for its subject while also comparing and contrasting the focal animal with other mammals by text, photos, and charts. Some comparisons seem natural (similar-looking African elephants and white rhinos); some surprisingly revealing (both sperm whales and vampire bats use echolocation); some random, without relevant comparative features (grizzly bears and titi monkeys). Reading list, websites. Bib., glos, ind. [Review covers the following Comparing Animal Traits titles: African Elephants, Gray Wolves, Grizzly Bears, Humpback Whales, Mountain Gorillas, Platypuses, Siberian Tigers, and Vampire BAts.] (c) Copyright 2015. 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.
