Synopsis
Describes insects that live in tropical and pine forests, and then shows them well-hidden in those environments
Reviews
Grade 3-5?A beautifully illustrated peek at the wide variety of invertebrates inhabiting the world's forests. Six mini habitats?among the canopy of leaves; within the tree bark; or on the floor of tropical, oak, and pine forests?are examined in four-page sections. Employing an "Eyewitness"-style format in the first half of each section, life-sized and larger-than-life color drawings of assorted arthropods appear against a white background. Captions describe one or two physical or behaviorial characteristics. The next spread shows the same creatures camouflaged within their habitat. These scenes are particularly effective; locating all of the animals is a real challenge. The realistic illustrations are outstanding. The text, however, is minimal. It does not clearly differentiate between insects and non-insects, but merely refers to them as "bugs" or "creepy crawlies." Also, data about the degree of magnification used in the drawings is not provided, and information is oversimplified. James Martin's Hiding Out (Crown, 1993) and Millicent Selsam's Backyard Insects (Scholastic, 1988) provide more detail on camouflage; Gaffney's title will be most useful for browsing.?Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Walkingsticks, pine beauty moths, stinkbugs, velvetworms and robber flies-they're all here, but hidden to the untrained observer. Gaffney takes it as his mission to educate the eye to perceive those refinements of nature that allow bugs and insects to imitate their surroundings in color, texture and form. Furtive as his subjects may be, his presentation is plain and direct: first he exhibits photo-like illustrations of insects that share a particular habitat (tropical forest, tropical forest floor, oak leaves, leaf litter, pine forest bark, or pine forest floor). Turn the page, and the next spread reveals a highly textured, beautifully rendered closeup illustration of the given habitat, with the same bugs and insects partially concealed and camouflaged. The "Creature Index" invites readers for quick peeks at individual bugs and insects or focused study of related species. Between the clever premise and deft execution, this bug book is the bee's knees. Ages 8-11.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Ages 6-9. This large-format introduction to tiny animals features realistic paintings on pairs of double-page spreads. On the first spread of each pair, small creatures (mainly insects) are clearly defined against a white background, while a brief caption identifies and tells a little about each one. The following spread is a wordless illustration, an environmental close-up, where the same animals blend into the scenery of their natural habitats. The six double-page scenes illustrate the canopy and the floor of a tropical forest, oak leaves, leaf litter, and the bark and floor of a pine forest. Involving children through a hide-and-seek game, the book very effectively shows how animals can fade into the right background. Gaffney's full-color paintings, at times almost photographic in their realism, will make children look and look again. Carolyn Phelan
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