Fer-de-Lance: Master Killer!

Children's Literature - Jamie Hain

The fer-de-lance is a poisonous snake that lives in Central America, South America, and the West Indies. Full page color photographs bring the world of the fer-de-lance alive as readers learn about the snake's hunting and eating habits, how its venom works on its prey, the similarities and differences between the fer-de-lance, and some of its other snake cousins, and even efforts to turn the fer-de-lance's venom into medicine. Colorful text boxes on each two-page spread provide the reader with additional fun facts about how the fer-de-lance interacts with the world around it. Part of the "Fangs" series, this book includes a fang facts page, a glossary of unfamiliar terms, a quick reference index, and a list of further readings for interested readers. This book is a great resource for lessons focusing specifically on the fer-de-lance, but only briefly mentions other snakes when comparing them to the fer-de-lance. It is a good recommendation for readers interested in snakes but should not be read by anyone squeamish as it does show the fer-de-lance swallowing smaller creatures. Reviewer: Jamie Hain