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Synopsis
You’re two inches away from a poison dart frog. You’re lying on the rainforest floor as she hops toward you, utterly fearless. This deadly terribilis frog has nothing to fear; your fear is that any accidental contact with your skin could mean death! Let Mark W. Moffett, winner of the 2006 Lowell Thomas Medal for Exploration, show you around the diverse world of frogs. Get the expert view on our amphibian friends, from metamorphosis to diet, from habitat to distinctive features; and learn why we urgently need to foster a healthier planet for these sensitive creatures.
Children's Literature
A collection of unusual frogs, mostly from Central and South America (although a few reside in Africa, Vietnam and Australia) is featured. Some of the frogs are tiny. Some are poisonous. Most are quite colorful. None resemble the most common species of frogs found in the United States. Attributes shared by frogs are explained and illustrated. They live in or near water; have a distinct life cycle, moving through stages from eggs to tadpoles to adulthood; and generally eat insects, although some also eat small animals and others may eat each other. Many full-color photographs of excellent quality accompanied by informative captions support the text. Two pages near the back offer tips and suggestions for protecting frogs and their environments. Another spread provides facts about frogs and a map showing the locations of the frogs mentioned in the text. Also included are a glossary, a bibliography and an index. This is an interesting introduction to the wide world of frogs (more than 5,000 species have been identified), although its value as a research tool would be limited, especially for students in the U.S. "Face to Face with Animals" series. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.