What Do I Eat?

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-Two attractive nature books. In the first, a hummingbird, a giraffe, a manta ray, and a Pipistrelle bat are among the 12 animals to pose the question, ``How Big Am I?'' A few sentences of description and full-color photographs provide the answer. In three cases, the subjects are shown in relation to something else, which helps readers to visualize their sizes. Most of the pictures are attention grabbing; it's unfortunate that the double-page spread of a whale and her calf is so dark. Greenway introduces food habits of a dozen different animals in What Do I Eat? An anteater, a pelican, and an archerfish ask, ``How do I catch my food?'' Readers will enjoy checking on the progress of a snake pictured on the cover as it swallows an egg. The detailed photographs on every page will immediately draw readers' attention. While both books have a two-page summary of the facts, there is not enough information for reports, and while the format will attract younger children, they will not be able to read these titles independently. Additional purchases.-Mary Ann Bursk, Bucks County Free Library, Levittown, PA