Animal Life

Children's Literature

This book combines facts about animal life with projects children can do. As one in the "Fascinating Science Projects" series from the publisher, the nine chapters deal with arthropods, vertebrates, breathing, feeding, movement, reproduction, growth, senses and adaptation. Often the text deals with human life rather than animal life, as in examining one's fingerprints and comparing head size with body size. Making a birdhouse and creating a pitfall trap to catch small critters are examples of some of the projects. The page layout is busy with small drawings and numerous sidebars. This will either allow readers to pick and choose what to read or to sort out the flow of the text. It is commendable that the author includes "Why It Works" or "What This Shows" to explain a project or activity. Use this book as a supplement to an animal unit of study in grades two or three. 2002, Copper Beech Books,
— Jacki Vawter