Animals That Glow

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-- This study of bioluminescence examines several species that live on land and in water, including the firefly, the larvae of some beetles and flies, millipedes, fish, and squid. Presnall explains the purposes of this physical characteristic (to attract mates, frighten predators, lure prey, create camouflage) and tells how the chemicals involved interact with oxygen to produce light. The last chapter discusses medical research efforts using these substances for detecting disease in humans and contamination in water. The photographs are for the most part full-color; however they vary in quality. A few diagrams depict the life cycles of some of the insects. Filisky's Living Lights (Crown, 1991) is another useful title on this topic. An informative and well-organized source for reports. --Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukee, OR

Stuart Miller

Gr 5-7. Presnall discusses bioluminescence in the animal kingdom, beginning with a chapter that introduces the phenomenon and how, where, and why it occurs. In each of the following 10 chapters, she describes the light, habits, and life cycle of an animal that glows, from fireflies to anglerfish to tiny sea creatures called dinoflagellates. The final pages concern possible application of bioluminescent chemicals. Throughout the book, diagrams of life cycles and full-color photographs of animals appear with helpful captions. Occasionally imprecise or confusing, the text would have benefited from more rigorous editing, but the book offers an accessible introduction to an intriguing subject.