What Lives in Coral Reefs?

January 1, 2009
K-Gr 3-The first few pages of each volume offer a brief introduction to the habitat and provide a map that clearly identifies locations around the world. Then spreads introduce eight animals. A large, striking photo of each creature will capture readers' attention, while text boxes and a small inset photo provide additional information. A minimal attempt is made to relate the animals to one another. "Coral Reefs" notes the oceans in which each animal lives, but readers might easily assume that they will all be found in the same region. Glossary entries are sometimes simplistic-for example, lichen is described as "a kind of plant that grows on a hard surface such as a rock or tree." Although the author provides a list of additional animals and challenges readers to learn more about them, she doesn't suggest books or Web sites for such an investigation. Beginning readers and browsers interested in animals may be drawn to these books, but anyone wanting information for reports or enrichment will need additional sources."Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2009
This series shines a light on animals that live and thrive in three vastly different ecosystems around the world. After some introductory material, eight animals are highlighted in double-page spreads. The texts are slight; clear main photographs, smaller inset photos, and maps are more engaging. Each title includes an appended list of other animals indigenous to the area. Glos.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)