Top 10 Marine Animals

Children's Literature - Judy Crowder

Superlatives—most, biggest, scariest, deadliest, etc.—have always held a certain fascination for young readers. Black Rabbit Book's new series, "Deadly and Incredible Animals," presents ten of the deadliest marine animals. But dangerous how? Dangerous to whom or what? This book, with its obligatory open-jawed great white shark on the front cover, has plenty of shelf appeal. While there are many opinions as to danger, the author explains, the book selects ocean dwellers based on each animal's ability to stalk or hunt down prey and kill with deadly venom or powerful jaws. The marine animals are listed from number ten, least deadly, to number one, most deadly. But before the countdown, the author includes information about features of fish, marine reptiles, mollusks (octopus, snail) and Coelenterates (jellyfish). Deadly and incredible features that help animal to survive and thrive in their various habitats are charted out with examples of animals that sting, bite, are speedy swimmers, camouflage themselves and so on. Animals that are included are (least deadly of the ten) lionfish, "beautiful but deadly," stingray that, when threatened, will lash out with its venomous barbed tail, beaked sea snake (deadliest venom of all snakes), tiger shark (powerful jaws, razor-sharp teeth), great white shark, stonefish (poison venom), blue-ringed octopus (paralyzing venom), saltwater crocodile (speed, powerful jaws), marbled come snail (venom), and finally number one, the box jelly that has enough venom to kill sixty humans. Each two-page spread includes color illustration, facts that make each animal incredible, habitat, hunting behavior, food, predators, size and lifespan. Interestingly, some animals, such as the sharks, are commonly known but some of the most deadly could be unfamiliar to young readers. The book closes with first aid tips, glossary and index. This book is well-researched with a compelling format. However the markets are flooded with books listing most dangerous, incredible, dangerous, etc. Many of these also have an open-jawed shark on the cover. Buyers have lots to choose from so look and read before you purchase. Reviewer: Judy Crowder

Children's Literature - Judy Crowder

Superlatives—most, biggest, scariest, deadliest, etc.—have always held a certain fascination for young readers. Black Rabbit Book's new series, "Deadly and Incredible Animals," presents ten of the deadliest marine animals. But dangerous how? Dangerous to whom or what? This book, with its obligatory open-jawed great white shark on the front cover, has plenty of shelf appeal. While there are many opinions as to danger, the author explains, the book selects ocean dwellers based on each animal's ability to stalk or hunt down prey and kill with deadly venom or powerful jaws. The marine animals are listed from number ten, least deadly, to number one, most deadly. But before the countdown, the author includes information about features of fish, marine reptiles, mollusks (octopus, snail) and Coelenterates (jellyfish). Deadly and incredible features that help animal to survive and thrive in their various habitats are charted out with examples of animals that sting, bite, are speedy swimmers, camouflage themselves and so on. Animals that are included are (least deadly of the ten) lionfish, "beautiful but deadly," stingray that, when threatened, will lash out with its venomous barbed tail, beaked sea snake (deadliest venom of all snakes), tiger shark (powerful jaws, razor-sharp teeth), great white shark, stonefish (poison venom), blue-ringed octopus (paralyzing venom), saltwater crocodile (speed, powerful jaws), marbled come snail (venom), and finally number one, the box jelly that has enough venom to kill sixty humans. Each two-page spread includes color illustration, facts that make each animal incredible, habitat, hunting behavior, food, predators, size and lifespan. Interestingly, some animals, such as the sharks, are commonly known but some of the most deadly could be unfamiliar to young readers. The book closes with first aid tips, glossary and index. This book is well-researched with a compelling format. However the markets are flooded with books listing most dangerous, incredible, dangerous, etc. Many of these also have an open-jawed shark on the cover. Buyers have lots to choose from so look and read before you purchase. Reviewer: Judy Crowder