Life-Size Reptiles (Life-Size Series) - Hardcover

Wilson, Hannah

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1402745427 ISBN 13: 9781402745423

Publisher: Sterling, 2007

Synopsis

Starting with the mega-hit Life-Size Dinosaurs (more than 300,000 copies sold), this awesomely illustrated and informative series has proven a consistent success. Kids can now embark on another fantastic visual exploration, this time to discover one of the most ancient of animal families on Earth: reptiles. This eye-catching volume answers all of a child’s questions: What is a reptile? How did these creatures evolve? Where are their habitats? What do they eat? How do they get their food? Amazing images of snakes and lizards, alligators and crocodiles, turtles and tortoises fill the pages, including the four 3-page gatefolds, three 4-page gatefolds, and a poster on the reverse of the jacket. A life-size stamp indicates which illustrations are actual size—and many are. Emerging in full body plans and close-ups are snakes coiling themselves around prey, lime-green veiled chameleons, snapping alligators, plus thorny devils, frilled lizards, and komodo dragons. Of course, you’ll find dinosaurs here too, with an explanation of what characteristics these prehistoric beasts share with their present-day descendants.

About this title

Reviews

In the same spirit as Steve Jenkin's Actual Size (2004) but for an older audience, this large-format picture book brings readers face-to-face with reptiles, depicted in life-size, highly realistic color illustrations, which begin with the bloodied crocodile jaws gracing the cover. A basic introduction to reptiles opens, followed by sections about specific reptile families, from lizards to turtles, covered in spreads that fold out to pack in more information. The facts are clear and up to date; Wilson definitively states that birds are descended from dinosaurs, for example. And the text engages readers with accessible comparisons: "Imagine trying to swallow something three times the size of your head. That is exactly what an egg-eating snake can do." This will draw a wide age range, including early-elementary students, who will enjoy the pictures while listening to the text read aloud. A final section about endangered species mentions the exotic pet trade, a topic rarely covered in youth books. With its high-impact art, this one will be hard for browsers to resist. Engberg, Gillian

Edition details

• Publisher: Sterling
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1402745427
• ISBN 13: 9781402745423
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 28