Steven Engelfried
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Allosaurus
Smooth prose and strongly organized text and illustrations make this a better-than-average choice for the dinosaur shelves.
The series describes common and less-familiar dinosaurs through a focus on prominent fossil finds, explaining how the evidence can be used to determine the behaviors, feeding habits, competitors, and environments of each species; paleontologists are also profiled. Tiny photos, illustrations of varying quality, and odd layouts detract somewhat from the presentations. There are seven other fall 2015 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring Dinosaurs titles: Apatosoaurus, Compsognathus, Maiasaura, Oviraptor, and Velociraptor.
Keystone Species that Live in Deserts
Though the series is not perfect, it fills an important subject gap, since print resources for kids on the topic of keystone species are sparse.
Alligator: Master of Might
Adequate species data for beginners, with minimal tie-ins to the superhero motif.
The "superpowers" that make alligators, salamanders, and poison dart frogs unique as well as more basic information are introduced using short sentences and eye-catching color photographs. The information amounts to a cursory glance, but the material is presented in an engaging manner and may inspire further research. An illustrated "superhero" for each animal and a quiz are appended. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Animal Superpowers titles: Alligator, Poison Dart Frogs, and Salamander.
Boa Constrictor vs. Grizzly Bear
An intriguing premise with some appeal, but not completely engaging.
Crocodiles: Built for the Hunt
Above-average treatment of a high-interest topic.
Short two- or three-paragraph chapters accompanied by large, pertinent color photos clearly explain the concepts of predator and prey. The text focuses on the crocodile's hunting style: discussing the kinds of prey it seeks, the creature's size, speed, physical attributes, defenses against counterattack, and strategy. Fact sidebars and same-page vocabulary definitions are helpful design elements. Reading list. Glos., ind.
We Need Worms
The scope necessarily varies depending on the topic, but the theme of balanced ecosystems is well supported by words and images.
Cranes
The consistent, if unexciting, structure makes this series a good fit for beginning readers hoping to digest introductory data, but they will need to look elsewhere for more engaging treatments of these highly interesting animals.
Mutants in Nature
There are plenty of fascinating bits of animal information throughout the series, particularly in Zombies and Super Powers, but the sometimes scattered presentation limits its general usefulness.
Bright, well-reproduced color photographs and simply written texts will make this series attractive to science-minded elementary school students. After relating the topic to attention-grabbing material ("Mutants are not just in comic books. In real life, mutations make strange plants and animals"), Larson dispenses well-chosen facts about each "freaky" occurrence in natural life. Readers may be inspired to research further. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Freaky Nature titles: Mutants in Nature, Super Powers in Nature, Vampires in Nature, and Zombies in Nature.
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