Snakes

Children's Literature - Jean Boreen

This text is another addition to the "Extreme Pet" series; other titles include lizards, piranhas, rats, salamanders, and spiders. The series is very consistent in providing information about how to create a habitat for an extreme pet. Here, readers learn about pet snakes: what they eat and how to feed them, as well as how to keep them healthy. Additional sections focus on keeping the tank clean, dealing with bites, and signs of sickness. Pictures that highlight the variety of snakes that exist are found throughout the book and focus attention on the detailed characteristics of the various snakes. Each page also has a great deal of textual information, although some pages are so packed with information that they may seem too busy or be a bit difficult to follow. "Question and Answer" sections in each set of pages are highlighted in red; green highlights showcase interesting definitions or tidbits of information that are more "gee whiz" than the main text. A glossary, an index, and a list of resources for further information provide additional background for those who want more than a surface understanding of, in this case, snakes. This will be a solid nonfiction addition to any school library. Reviewer: Jean Boreen, Ph.D.