Where's That Reptile: Hide & Seek Science

An introduction to reptiles features facts on the left-hand side of the page and large, lush illustrations that invite readers to find hidden reptiles on the right.

Grade 1-3-Readers are asked to find 18 reptiles that are concealed, to a degree, in a series of double-page watercolor paintings of various natural habitats. Short blocks of text briefly describe such creatures as leatherback turtles, Nile crocodiles, horned toads, iguanas, garter snakes, etc. depicted in the illustrations and offer some miscellaneous facts about them. A chart on the last page shows each animal in silhouette, along with a label indicating average size. The vibrant pictures will attract browsers. The few in which the subjects are difficult to locate are particularly effective; however, most are disappointingly easy to spot. In a couple, they are in full view and children are merely asked to tally heads or tails. The statement that "...A full-grown snapping turtle can weigh over 200 pounds" is misleading as this is only applicable to the less common alligator snapper. Geographical ranges are not given and, while most of the species depicted are identified, not all are. A tinge of anthropormophism is occasionally present. John N. Wood's Nature Hide & Seek: Oceans (1985) and Nature Hide & Seek: Jungles (1987, both Knopf) portray camouflaged animals more effectively. With the exception of some very attractive illustrations, this title has little to offer.
Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.