From School Library Journal:
Grade 4-6-- These British imports are attractive but unexceptional in organization, treatment, and photographs. Each takes a scattershot approach to its topic, gives one or two examples per page--half text, half full-color photograph--in seemingly arbitrary, although well-indexed, groupings. In Builders , prior knowledge is necessary to identify what appears to be a pile of sticks as an intricately engineered beaver's dam. No idea of scale is included in the photo of the termite mound, nor is there any schematic indication of its air-conditioning mentioned in the text. Helpers is broadly interpreted, and includes the jellyfish colony, pollinator bees, pack hunters, social groomers, and the cuckoo's host bird. Hunters becomes an unceasing list of insects, mammals, and fish that must kill for food. In Travelers , the groupings are particularly arbitrary; the subtopic "Aerial invaders" features locusts and the collared dove, while "Nomads" features another foraging bird, the sparrowlike quelea, noted to be widely killed as a pest. While the information is factual, it is not developed enough to be helpful to novice naturalists. Photos are mostly adequate, but not sufficient in themselves. Better information is available on most of these topics, both in general groupings and on specific animals. --Ruth M. McConnell, San Antonio Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.