Is It a Living Thing?

Children's Literature - Barbara Wheatley

Kalman, well-known for nonfiction books, delivers another winner with the "Introducing Living Things" series. With colorful labeled photos and drawings, bolded content words in the text, and guided reading levels aimed at first and second grade, these books are excellent resources for younger readers. Complete with a "Contents" page, a "Words to Know" section, and an "Index" page, the books make it easy for beginning readers to locate information. Living things grow, change, and move and need air, water, food, and sunshine to do so. All living things, whether they are plants or animals, are made of cells. Detailed drawings and photographs give the reader many examples of what cells look like, from plant cells to bone cells. Vibrant photographs also show examples of plants, from trees to weeds. Animals are divided into two main groups, invertebrates and vertebrates, and readers are given many photos of animals in both categories. A simple explanation of habitats and the life cycle of a newt, including diagrams, completes the book. While the sentences may seem short and choppy, they are perfect for the reading success of the intended audience. Reviewer: Barbara Wheatley