Insects (National Audubon Society First Field Guides)

A visual guide to the natural science of insects which includes information on the ten most common orders, pollination, and life-cycles; also works as a field guide.

Grade 4 Up-Two welcome additions to nature study that are not strictly field guides per se. Beginning with descriptions of ornithology and entomology, the authors invite young people to become aware of and familiar with the natural world. With sharp, clear full-color photos (some spectacular, some disappointingly small), birds and insects are described, classified, and placed in their habitats. Birds covers identification marks; eating, mating, and nesting habits; migration; and endangered status. Insects provides similar information plus cautions against those insects that bite or sting. The photos greatly magnify the size of each species. Both volumes do include useful sections of photos for quick identification while on hikes, etc. A glossary of technical terms, lists for further reading, organizations, videos, software, and Web sites are appended. These inviting and easy-to-use titles will deservedly be popular.
Kathleen McCabe, East Meadow Public Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.