Animal Cells

Children's Literature - Della A. Yannuzzi

What is in an animal cell? What gives a leopard its spots or a tiger its stripes? Author Dowdy answers these questions and much more in this forty-eight page picture book. In the 1800s, scientists learned that every part of an animal is made of different cells. A cell's nucleus is filled with DNA information which is passed down to its offspring. This genetic material determines different traits such as hair and eye color. Cells also divide, and split to replace old or damaged cells. Animals come in all kinds of shapes and forms with unique traits. The chameleon can change its color in order to blend in with its environment whenever it feels danger. Pedigreed dogs and cats have been carefully bred in order to keep the best traits of each breed. However, weak traits can occur in certain breeds. Dalmations carry a gene for deafness. The author has covered all the basic information on animal cells. The color illustrations are large and detailed. Sidebars are also included. Back material includes a science fair experiment, further reading, websites, and a glossary. Part of the "Let's Relate to Genetics" series. Reviewer: Della A. Yannuzzi

School Library Journal

Gr 6-8–Problems mar this series. Background science, current research, and future possibilities are presented in large type and with numerous photos and occasional diagrams and sidebars. Controversial topics include questions for consideration–for example, an “In the Lab” sidebar in Cells explaining one of the roles of brain cells asks, “Can Playing Violent Video Games Make You Violent?” Kids will appreciate Genetic Engineering’s humorous introduction and use of analogies. Unfortunately, the lightheartedness isn’t continued in the other books; as topics become more challenging, the writing gets denser. Also, in an effort to simplify meiosis, important information and terminology are absent, muddying the description that repeats in Cells, Animal Cells, and Plant Cells. Occasionally, topics and photos are out of order, and the closing “Notebook” experiments are often more like kitchen fun than science.