Frogs, Toads, Lizards and Salamanders

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- A wonderful blend of humor and factual material, similar in format and style to the authors' Bugs (Greenwillow, 1987). Here they cleverly use playful, nonsense verses ("Onto Patty's pie a la mode hopped a large American toad") and illustrations to lure readers to a corresponding page of straightforward text and labeled drawings of an amphibian or reptile. A sentence relating to the introductory couplet provides continuity between two dissimilar presentation styles and creates a multilayered approach to learning . Children are sure to enjoy the rhymes, lively watercolor illustrations, and large diagrams. The narrative informs readers about the physical characteristics, behavior , and habitats of these animals, while range maps at the back of the book tell where to locate them. Both common and scientific names are used throughout the book, and a glossary, index, and classification chart are available. A picture glossary shows the stages of amphibian development and the anatomy of frogs and lizards. Some confusion may arise from the use of symbols for nocturnal and for diurnal, as the only key to these symbols is on the amphibians, but this attractive edition will certainly draw attention to the subject. --Diane Nunn, Richard E. Byrd Elementary School, Glen Rock, NJ
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The creators of Bugs offer readers an enticing look at familiar amphibians and reptiles found in the continental United States. As with their earlier work, the left side of each spread features an amusing couplet paired with a cartoon-like drawing. On the right, a detailed, clearly labeled illustration of each animal is accompanied by a concise, fact-filled paragraph. For a short book (48 pages), an astonishingly large amount of information is conveyed, including a picture glossary depicting the life cycles of frogs and toads, relative size information and anatomical diagrams of both a frog and a lizard. Also featured are a glossary of terms, range maps, a chart of the scientific classification for each animal in the book, a bibliography and an index. Certain to appeal to children and scientists alike, this splendid, beautifully designed effort should be required reading for families and school classes contemplating nature expeditions. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.