Jumpers

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-- Despite the action implied in the titles, these slim books about movement don't have a lot going for them. Without a word of introduction, Powell offers bare-bones descriptions of the unique ways each of 18 animals--including humans--jump and swim. For example, fish are said to ``. . . bend their tails from side to side . . . .'' At times the texts are oversimplified. Readers can gain little from such statements as ``newts . . . swim by moving their bodies and tails.'' The full-color photographs vary in quality from a superb flapping turtle to a lackluster cluster of ducks. Overall, the illustrations of Jumpers sparkle more than those of Swimmers. Ganeri's attractive Animal Movement (Barrons, 1991) is a much better introduction to the subject. --Amy Nunley, Toledo-Lucas County Pub . Lib . , OH