Animals at Work: How Animals Build, Dig, Fish and Trap

In this book in the Animal Behavior series, discover how animals build, dig, fish and trap.

Children's Literature

Animals need to work to survive. But what kind of work does an animal do? Young readers will discover what it is like to build like a bee, fish like a heron, drink like a chimp, and much more. Readers will discover that honeybees get wax from a slit in their belly and use it to build amazing hives. Why do honeybees build the cells of their hives in the shape of a hexagon? A hands-on activity helps explain why using a hexagon shape is the most efficient way to build a hive. Several such experiments are included throughout the book to help demonstrate the animal skills in concrete ways. The text is clear and easy to read, and the animals are realistically illustrated in life-like colors. A useful resource for anyone teaching elementary school science. 2001, Kids Can Press, $10.95 and $5.95. Ages 7 to 11. Reviewer:Cheryl Peterson

Award-winning author and teacher Etta Kaner enjoys writing nonfiction for both children and adults. Her books include Animals Migrating, Animal Talk , Animal Groups and other titles in the Animal Behavior series, as well as four titles in the Kids Can Read series. She is also author of the Exploring the Elements and Have You Ever Seen series. She lives in Toronto.

Pat Stephens, mother, animal lover and artist, lives in a crowded house in Durham, Ontario. She has illustrated over 20 animal - related books for children.