Life As We Know It: Putting the Buzz Back in Biology!

Gr 4–8—This visually appealing book, teeming with crisp, color images, provides readers with an introduction to the vast varieties of life on Earth and the possibilities beyond our planet. The text is arranged into five sections: "The meaning of LIFE," "The VARIETY of life," "Living TOGETHER," "Secrets of SURVIVAL," and "The OTHER SIDE of life." Some of the topics covered include basic cell structure, the six kingdoms, photosynthesis, habitats, migration, and ecosystems. Brief paragraphs of information appear across each spread on bright, eye-catching backgrounds and with a plethora of color photographs. The layout lends itself well to casual browsing, while still offering readers plenty of useful information. Children will be especially amused by the speech bubbles used throughout to lend a comical voice to key figures and an assortment of animals and plants. For example, a black widow spider warns readers: "Beware-I'm small but deadly!" The vibrant layout and accessible and engaging text are sure to attract young readers.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA