Baby Reptiles. (It’s Fun to Learn About Baby Animals). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2009. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $7.95 (pbk.), $18.36 (hc.). ISBN 978-0-7787-3973-9 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-3954-8 (RLB). Subject Heading: Reptiles-Infancy-Juvenile literature. Kindergarten-grade 2 / Ages 5-7. Review by Gail Hamilton. **½ /4

Caterpillars to Butterflies. (It’s Fun to Learn About Baby Animals). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2009. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $7.95 (pbk.), $18.36 (hc.). ISBN 978-0-7787-3974-6 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-3955-5 (RLB). Subject Headings: Caterpillars-Juvenile literature. Butterflies-Juvenile literature. Butterflies-Metamorphosis-Juvenile literature. Kindergarten-grade 2 / Ages 5-7. Review by Gail Hamilton. **½ /4

Tadpoles to Frogs. (It’s Fun to Learn About Baby Animals). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2009. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $7.95 (pbk.), $18.36 (hc.). ISBN 978-0-7787-3975-3 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-3956-2 (RLB). Subject Headings: Tadpoles-Juvenile literature. Frogs-Development-Juvenile literature. Kindergarten-grade 2 / Ages 5-7. Review by Gail Hamilton. **½ /4

Wild and Pet Puppies. (It’s Fun to Learn About Baby Animals). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2009. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $7.95 (pbk.), $18.36 (hc). ISBN 978-0-7787-3976-0 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-3957-9 (RLB). Subject Headings: Canidae-Infancy-Juvenile literature. Wild dogs-Infancy-Juvenile literature. Puppies-Juvenile literature. Kindergarten-grade 2 / Ages 5-7. Review by Gail Hamilton. **½ /4

excerpt:

Lizards are animals with long bodies and short legs. Some lizards are very small, and some are huge. Most lizards have long tails. When a small lizard is caught by the tail, its tail comes off. A new tail grows back in a few months. Big lizards cannot grow back their tails. (From Baby Reptiles.)

Part of the 10 title “It’s Fun to Learn About Baby Animals” series, these books provide very general information about animal groups, habitats, anatomy, diet and life cycles as well as some of the adaptations which enable the animals to survive. Each 24-page book has 10 chapters, a table of contents, a glossary and a pictorial index. Two of the titles, Caterpillars to Butterflies and Tadpoles to Frogs, have double-page spreads with activities for the reader, but the activities are quite inane and have no place in a nonfiction book, even though they would elicit some giggles from the reader. For example, in the book about tadpoles, children are asked to examine some photographs and tell whether the subject is a frog, but the photos are of a baby dressed in a hooded frog sleeper, a kitten in a frog costume, a frog with a Santa hat (the caption beneath the photo asks “Is this Santa Claus or Santa Frog?”) and another frog with a crown on its head. Text is printed in a simple, large font and is easily comprehended by young readers. Illustrations are primarily colour photographs, but there are some diagrams as well. The layout is attractive and appealing.

     Baby Reptiles explains the different types of reptiles and their characteristics, special adaptations such as eyes that can look in two different directions simultaneously, how reptiles keep warm or stay cool, and why some reptiles molt. The life cycle of a skink is featured.

     Caterpillars to Butterflies highlights the difference between butterflies and moths, the butterfly’s life cycle, and the various ways in which butterflies are protected from predators, some examples being the large “eye” spots, striped patterns, leaf-like shape, and their awful taste. Readers can take a closer look at a caterpillar’s body with its true legs, prolegs, spiracles, spines and tubercles.

     Tadpoles to Frogs discusses the frog’s interesting life cycle, its body parts, including the skeleton, and explains the differences between frogs and toads. Pond and tree frogs are compared.

     Wild and Pet Puppies focuses on wild dogs such as wolves, coyotes, dingoes, jackals and foxes- their homes, hunting skills, communication, and care of the young. The responsibilities of owning a pet dog are also discussed.

     Though the photographs are excellent, there is not enough information in these titles, generally, to warrant the price. Of the four books reviewed, the only one worthy of purchase is Caterpillars to Butterflies.

Recommended with reservations.

Gail Hamilton is a teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB.

NEXT REVIEW TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - April 3, 2009.