Animal Communication

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2Two books that look at different aspects of animal life. Camouflage depicts such phenomena as adaptive and/or protective coloration, body shapes, and behaviors that help to conceal creatures from enemies or competitors. Communication illustrates the various ways in which animals transmit messages through sound, as with wolves howling to guide the pack, or through physical ways, such as bees dancing to lead the others to food. Simple text on the right accompanies striking full-page color photos on the left. Subject matter is divided into chapters, from two-to-four pages in length. The photographs of the animals give both of these books great visual impact, although there may not be quite enough variation (three pictures of moths in one volume) for most children. Carolyn Otto's What Color Is Camouflage? (HarperCollins, 1996) is similar in scope but has a more narrative writing style and features drawings rather than photos. The simplicity of McDonnell's texts makes them suitable for reading aloud to very young nature lovers and basic enough for beginning readers to tackle without too much adult assistance. Arwen Marshall, New York Public Library