A Mob Of Meerkats

Children's Literature

From the "Heinemann InfoSearch" series about animals, this beautifully illustrated book is full of interesting, well-presented material. The easy to understand text is perfect for elementary school research projects. The book asks specific questions covering the world of meerkats, such as, "Do meerkats talk to each other?" "Do meerkats fight?" "How do meerkats keep cool?" and "How well do meerkats see?" A section at the end asks, "What dangers do meerkats face?" and could be used to promote thought and discussion about how the species is endangered by various predators, especially man. The close-up photographs are clear and colorful and are used to illustrate specific points in the text. The bold type explanations of the photos are not mere repetitions of the general text. A younger or less literate reader could review the photos and their captions and still gain a good understanding of meerkats. A glossary defines the words in bold throughout the text. This book proves, as do others in the series, that nonfiction can be great fun. 2004, Heinemann Library, Ages 8 to 10.
—Kathryn Erskine

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-A question-and-answer format and several color close-ups of the featured animal give these titles instant appeal. Eye-catching graphics and sidebars provide additional information with a focus on the amazing ways in which each creature depends on others of its kind for survival. After a basic introduction, each book discusses physical characteristics, habitat, breeding/family life, communication, diet, predators/threats, and more. Chapters are short, with titles that pose specific questions, such as "What Dangers Do Meerkats Face?" "What Is a Kangaroo Mob?" and "How Do Penguins Survive in the Cold?" A kid-friendly package, good for basic research or browsing.-Cathie Bashaw Morton, Somers Library, NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.