Review by Booklist Review
Readers can graduate from casual beachcomber to hard-core natural history collector with this book written by an educator at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. The book starts with a casual history of collectors of curiosities, and a brief breakdown of scientific names and classification. After tips for the important tasks of documenting, storing and displaying, and cataloging one's collection, the author discusses the various types of things one could actually collect. There are projects for building shadow boxes, making poison jars (to kill your own insects!), and the proper way to press and preserve flowers. Many of the projects will require adult help, and many of the items collected will need maintaining (those rocks won't keep themselves polished!). Biographies of high-profile natural history collectors are included to inspire and encourage. Full-color photographs of minerals, fossils, animal tracks, and exploring children complement the text. A brief profile of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, a list of additional resources, and an index are included at the end.--Dean, Kara Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-8-An excellent springboard for young collectors looking to begin their own specimen collection or take their existing one up a notch. After covering the basics of storing, labeling, caring for, and displaying a collection, Sanchez presents six sections to handle specific interests: rocks and minerals, animal tracks, seashells, fossils, insects, and plants. Each section addresses the subject's unique needs, supplies, classification, and organization, and provides a related creative project. Also included are interviews with a variety of collectors and a spread on Mary Anning, an influential fossil hunter in early 1800s England. The section on insects doesn't shy away from the realities of collecting from the wild, detailing how to create a "killing jar" for fluttering insects and how to freeze others. While this may make some squeamish, the instructions are clear and easily followed with an adult's help. Sanchez also includes asides with instructions on how to be a conscious and courteous collector-excellent advice for young and old alike. A substantial index and list of additional books and online resources supplement the primary text. Intuitively organized and packed with information and clear instruction, this volume will be beneficial for school projects, independent exploration, homeschoolers, and many others. VERDICT A general purchase and a first purchase where young collectors abound.--Taylor Worley, Springfield Public Library, OR © Copyright 2018. 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.