Alligators

Children's Literature - Deborah Zink Roffino

Although the text is long for kindergarten, it is well written and easy for young readers to understand. Choose this overview of crocodilians for the photographs. Leathery skin, camouflaged nests, hatching eggs and an assortment of toothy alligators in natural habitats will hold attention.

Children's Literature - Judy Katsh

This book in the "Early Bird Nature Books" series entertains and enlightens. Written clearly enough for novice readers, it also contains a good amount of information about the featured animal. The alligators are depicted as real animals who have adapted to life in their native environment. Attitudes and stereotypes have been replaced in this slim volume by information and understanding

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4Like the ``New True'' books (Childrens), these titles introduce young readers to information in an attractive and accessible format. Each book begins with a map and a list of words to search for, poses a question (quickly answered) at the beginning of each chapter, and concludes with a note to adults encouraging them to supplement the reading experience. Smith introduces African Elephants and discusses why they are both scarce and valuable; unfortunately, while their precarious status is discussed, the word ``endangered'' is never used. The full-color photographs are crisp and informative throughout. Staub begins and ends his title with references to Alligators as ``monsters'' in terms of both the danger they pose to other species and the important place they hold in their habitat. Some of the photographs are murky but the captions are clear and they cover the gamut of gator life. Useful and attractive, both books should add variety to easy nonfiction collections.Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System