Penguins (World Life Library)

Grade 9 Up?Two picture-book sized descriptions of wildlife. Blue Whales combines empirical data gathered from the authors' direct observations as well as history and information from other sources. Individual chapters treat such specifics as evolution, physiology, whaling and its impact upon the species and its future, and the research methods required to study whales. The full-color photographs are sparkling additions to the narrative. They either stand alone or are captioned with succinct remarks that add depth to the pictures. For example, a close-up of a blow hole is captioned, "A whale's blow hole is so large that a toddler could crawl into it." The half-page listing of facts may summarize the species, but the entire book is a somber exultation and celebration of the largest animal that has ever lived on Earth. Penguins briefly describes the appearance and diet of a variety of these birds, how they live together, and the breeding and development of the young. Although the photographs are beautiful and occasionally stunning, some of the captions detract in their anthropomorphizing; e.g., a picture of a Gentoo penguin carrying a stone is labeled, "Some penguins are habitual thieves and cannot resist the temptation to pilfer...." A facts section summarizes by genus the penguins that reside throughout the southern hemisphere, but without an index to link the information about each penguin, the presentation seems helter skelter.?Frances E. Millhouser, Chantilly Regional Library, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In the WorldLife Library series, a compilation of research and scientific studies reveals the anatomical, physiological, and behavioral features of the world's penguin population. Love, a zoologist, looks at the discovery and history of penguins, their attributes, mating habits, and the conservation of them in a dense, scientific text paired with dramatic full- color photographs. This seemingly awkward flightless bird can be viewed engaging in acrobatic displays while incubating a snowball or pebble in the absence of an egg, or gracefully gliding underwater in ballet-like maneuvers. An in-depth discussion of head ornamentation, body adaptations, metabolic rate of processing oxygen, life cycle, and penguin society raises this above the average animal-fact annals. Most young penguin enthusiasts will have to rely heavily on the photos and captions, passing over some difficult, adult vocabulary and the academic presentation of material. Look to this account as a research tool, not a casual, kid-friendly glimpse at the ever-popular, playful penguin. (index, not seen, further reading) (Nonfiction. 10+) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.