Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 3-6. Amply illustrated with color pencil and watercolor artwork, this large-format book introduces the physical features and habits of North American owls. Sattler explains how owls differ from other birds; what makes them good predators; how they court, nest, and raise their young; and what their collective future might be. Following this, a useful "Glossary of Owls" introduces 21 species of owls, each described on a page that includes a large full-color illustration and a map showing its summer and winter ranges of habitat. A bibliography is appended. A very attractive offering, intriguing to read and well designed for research. --Carolyn Phelan
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-7Sattler and Zallinger return to the successful format of The Book of Eagles (Lothrop, 1989) to showcase another raptor. Limiting themselves to those found in North America allows children to focus on those they might actually see in the wild, but still offers detail on a great variety of sizes, behaviors, and habitats. Sattler begins with a personal childhood story and often introduces a new topic with anecdotal narrative to draw in youngsters. Historical and scientific background information is given, followed by a clearly organized picture of the bird's life cycle and place in nature. At one point, the author veers too close to fiction, translating an owl's mating calls into English, and she espouses a positive view of its place in the ecosystem (a position some farmers and loggers take issue with). On the whole, though, this is a balanced, entertaining, and informative selection. The second half of the book is a pictorial glossary of owls that highlights each of the 21 species that live on this continent; it includes good range maps, specific behavioral and physical facts, and calls. The attractive drawings, clean format, and generous size contribute to this appealing treat for nature fans.Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System (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
The tall, handsome volume follows the pattern of earlier Sattler-Zallinger collaborations, with carefully detailed color drawings intertwined with well-crafted text on every page. Five chapters describe the scientific classification and history of owls; their physical characteristics, behavior as predators, courtship and nesting, and care of their young; and their probable future. Glossary of owls included. Bib., ind. From HORN BOOK 1995, (c) Copyright 2010. 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
This striking companion volume to the author's The Book of Eagles (1989) describes the 21 species of owls found in North America. As did the former title, this one combines a lucid text with meticulous attention to detail and stunning full-color illustrations for a masterful blend of science and art. The author begins with a discussion of what makes an owl, describes the specialized anatomy of this predator, its courtship and nesting behavior, the raising of owlets, and its endangered status. She then provides a glossary of all North American species including the scientific name, description, wingspan, range, common call, preferred diet, nesting requirements, number and size of eggs laid, time of incubation and time till owlets fly off. Each description is accompanied by a color drawing of the owl in its habitat, and a map. The title concludes with a listing of owls by family, genus, and species, an extensive bibliography and a thorough index. Sattler, who died in 1992, made an outstanding contribution to science writing for children, and this title adds to that legacy. Highly recommended. (maps, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10+)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
