Manatees & Dugongs

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5Although never exciting, this serviceable series arouses interest and sympathy for many vanishing species throughout the world. All of the animals discussed are herbivores and range from the gentle ocean-living manatee to the fiercely aggressive rhinoceros. All have in common their battle for survival against great odds. Throughout each volume, the information is well organized and the writing clear, although sometimes dry. Full-color illustrations add some interest but are mostly standard fare. Maps show where the animals live, and boldface words are defined in the glossary. "Mate" is defined as "When a male and female get together to produce young" (Manatees and Rhinoceroses), which may in its blandness be somewhat misleading. Many of the words in the glossaries are not in the limited indexes. A "Useful Addresses" section gives some standard places for information on how to help save these and other animals. These books are useful for libraries needing simple materials for reports.Eva Elisabeth Von Ancken, Trinity Pawling School, NY