Exploring the World of Mammals. This item is unavailable.Exploring the World of Mammals

Articles describe specific groups of mammals--such as bears, cats and dogs--and families of carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores, and cover their life cycles and their hunting, feeding, and breeding habits.

This set offers an introduction to the world of mammals. The volumes begins with an “Introducing Mammals” section as well as a “Mammalian Family Tree.” The introduction provides details about the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and an explanation of thecategories in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Entries appear alphabetically, from Aardvark to Wombat. The majority of the entries cover specific species, but there are also broader entries that introduce an entire order of mammals. Some of the broader entries include Bats, Carnivores, Hoofed mammals, and Marsupials. Such entries are noted in bold type in the table of contents. All of the volumes include a volume-specific table of contents, and volumes 1–5 offer a volume-specific index. Volume 6 contains a comprehensive set index. Each of the more than 100 articles includes a “Fact File” sidebar that explains the mammal’s family and order, presents a distribution map, and provides additional key data such as habitat, size, coat, diet, breeding, life span, and status according to the World Conservation Union. Most of the entries are two to four pages in length. Additional sidebars offer extra details. Also, a “Did You Know?” section introduces interesting tidbits about specific mammals. A color-coded header appears across every two-page spread, indicating whether the mammal is an omnivore, herbivore, or carnivore. The layout is colorful, open, and appealing. Bright photographs and illustrations appear on every two-page spread. The highlighted annotations add to the text. The layout, large text size, and simple explanations would make this book suitable for students in upper-elementary as well as middle school. All volumes conclude with a glossary and a listing of further resources, both books and Web sites. This set would be a worthwhile addition to school and public libraries. It is suited for a younger audience than that served by the more comprehensive Exploring Mammals, published by Marshall Cavendish (2007). Grades 5-8. --Maren Ostergard