Bears - Hardcover

Gilks, Helen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0395668999 ISBN 13: 9780395668993

Publisher: Ticknor & Fields, 1993

Synopsis

Discusses the eight types of bears, from the polar bear to the rare sun bear of Southeast Asia, highlighting the differences among them, their diets, their habits, and other information.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly

Those whose alliance with the animal kingdom depends on their fondness for teddy bears or for Curious George will enjoy these excellent nonfiction titles. After briefly introducing the genus, Bears highlights the distinctive traits of each of eight varieties of bruin: polar bear fur may look white, but actually each hair is hollow and transparent, reflecting the light; before hibernation, brown bears gain about three pounds a day while the non-hibernating pandas habitually eat around 85 pounds of bamboo every day. Apes follows a format similar to Bears , but includes more thorough information on its four species--gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees and gibbons--along with an explanation of the differences between monkeys and apes. Because of the parallels between apes and human beings, this book may be the more compelling of the two: Lemmon explains that, like human mothers, chimps spend many years caring for their offspring; that young orangutans wrestle and play much as children do; that young apes may be punished for being impolite. Both books conclude with brief chapters on protection of these animals and conservation of their habitats. While the substantial texts are serious and to the point, the airy, inviting layout and large-scale illustrations allow young naturalists either to read continuously or to take brief dips. Ages 7-9.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Large, meticulously observed color illustrations highlight this appealing survey, which includes two pages of ``Bear Facts,'' scale drawings, scientific names, and several pages each on the polar, brown, black, speckled, Asiatic, sloth, and sun bears and the giant panda. Most spreads are dominated by dramatic central illustrations, surrounded by smaller vignettes and facts about a particular bear's specialized anatomy and habits. Browsers will enjoy the majestic portraits; serious students will also want titles that are richer in detail, e.g. Pringle's Bearman (1989). An endpaper map shows ranges; unfortunately, the key (hatched lines in eight colors) is a little difficult to interpret, especially for the polar bear; still, the map serves as a complement to the ranges specified in the text. Also see Lemmon's Apes (below) in the same format. (Nonfiction. 7-10) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Ticknor & Fields
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0395668999
• ISBN 13: 9780395668993
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 30
• Illustrator: Bale Andrew