Pond Water Zoo: An Introduction to Microscopic Life

Provides young readers with detailed illustrations that capture the various microscopic lives going on in a single drop of pond water, including that of spirogyra, paramecia, and other protozoa.

Grade 5-8. This utilitarian book catalogs the varieties of microscopic life in ponds and streams and offers instructions on collecting and studying samples. An introduction to the five kingdoms and microscopic life in general is followed by descriptions of Monera, Protista, and a variety of microscopic animals. Similar species are grouped together, but the text is weak on pointing out similarities and making comparisons that would help readers keep the data sorted out. There are also sensationalized statements that need more clarification. For example, the author claims that, "90 percent of the average human being is made up of bacteria;" it is not clear what this figure is based on. The explanation of the sizes of these species is muddy, too. Although Loewer explains how long a micron is in comparison to an inch, some organisms are described in terms of microns and others in terms of millimeters but how many microns are in a millimeter is never made clear. The book's strength is its instructions for collecting and studying these creatures; it explains getting samples, using microscopes, and what to look for. Some of the tasks will need adult supervision, but the information could be useful to students who need ideas for biology-based science projects. Excellent drawings complement the text, providing close-up views of the life forms described. The end result is mixed, with the book's appeal limited by its somewhat dull and sometimes vague text.?Jeffrey A. French, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 5^-8. In a factual, scientific presentation, this book examines a drop of pond water to reveal the teeming unseen life present there, and shows how, with a microscope or hand-held lens, youngsters can explore the wonders of freshwater biology. A short introduction places these studies in the framework of the five kingdoms of living things, and simple drawings help readers comprehend the relative sizes of the microorganisms. Almost every page contains several precise drawings interpreting what the microscope reveals. The emphasis is on the role microscopic organisms play in nature. Enhanced by a glossary and bibliography, the very detailed book will serve the young researcher well. Susan DeRonne