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(4)
K-3
Zoom In on Polar Animals series.
These basic introductions to polar mammals offer cursory facts about appearance, habitat, food, and life cycle. Simple (if choppy) texts for emergent readers are adequately reflected in the accompanying photos. Each book's appendix includes comparisons of the animal's average weight, length, or height to some hard-to-grasp items (e.g., at 3,300 pounds, "a male beluga whale weighs as much as three soda vending machines"). Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom In on Polar Animals titles: Arctic Foxes, Beluga Whales, Caribou, Polar Bears, and Seals.
56 pp.
| Owlkids
| April, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-77147-055-1$17.95
(4)
K-3
Translated by Sarah Quinn.
Six male caribou rendered in crisp cut paper (unfortunately they're largely indistinguishable) compete in a droll running race. Their competitive fervor gets intense ("he'll try anything--even the infamous banana-peel trick"), verging on cruel at times (one competitor is tied up), but children will likely find it all hilarious. Pleasingly, the actual champion isn't the only triumphant one in the hoopla.
(2)
4-6
Set in the Yukon Territory, Hobbs's latest turbocharged wilderness survival story has savage river waters, treacherous trails, and, as chief antagonist, a "grolar bear." The polar bear–grizzly hybrid attacks our hero Nick in the first chapter and returns in the last for a spectacular confrontation. Hobbs doesn't resist information-packing, but he's brisk about it and knows how to get out of the...LOOK OUT!
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2013
32 pp.
| Bearport
| January, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61772-130-4$25.27
(4)
K-3
Built for Cold: Arctic Animals series.
The authors describe various animals that live and thrive in arctic environments. Each volume begins by introducing a scientist studying the title creature; that person acts as expert by providing quotes throughout the book. The information is solid but tends to meander. Colorful photos, maps, sidebars, and accounts of real-life encounters with the animals will engage readers curious about the natural world. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Built for Cold: Arctic Animals titles: Arctic Wolf, Caribou, Wolverine, Polar Bear, Sled Dog, and Walrus.
48 pp.
| Walker
| May, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8027-9565-6$17.95
(3)
4-6
Park ranger and wildlife biologist Heuer and his wife follow a caribou herd as it migrates to its calving grounds. They observe the hardships of the herd as the animals are plagued by wolves, bears, and insects; the couple also endures dramatic blizzards (which don't faze the caribou). The breathtaking photographs taken on the journey are the book's highlight. Reading list, websites. Ind.
48 pp.
| Carolrhoda
| December, 2004
|
LibraryISBN 1-57505-579-1$25.26
(3)
4-6
Carolrhoda Nature Watch series.
These clearly written offerings describe each mammal's different species or subspecies, diet, habitat and geographic range, physiology, and reproductive habits. The authors discuss threats posed by the subjects' enemies, including destruction of the featured animal's habitat due to logging, mining, development, and, in the case of tigers, poaching. Crisp color photos appear throughout each book. Map. Glos., ind. Review covers these Carolrhoda Nature Watch titles: Caribou, Sloths, and Tigers.
32 pp.
| Houghton
| April, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-618-39314-5$$16.00
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jim Meyer.
With rhythmic poetic prose, this picture book builds up a momentum that progressively draws the listener into a remote woods, where a mother caribou and her calf dwell. Well-chosen details enhance the reader's sense of the caribou's habitat. The accompanying woodblock prints are saturated with natural hues.
48 pp.
| Enslow/Links.com
| February, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-7660-5054-8$$19.95
(4)
4-6
Endangered and Threatened Animals series.
Designed to resemble webpages, the books in this series contain solid information about various animals, including their physical characteristics, their threatened status, and current efforts to prevent their extinction. Annotated lists of Internet links direct readers to helpful supplemental information. Many of the illustrations are reproduced from websites--giving the books a gimmicky format. Reading list. Ind. [Review covers these Endangered and Threatened Animals titles: The Woodland Caribou, The Tiger, The Blue Whale, The Gray Wolf, and The Gopher Tortoise.]
32 pp.
| Boyds
| March, 2003
|
TradeISBN 1-59078-010-8$$16.95
(3)
K-3
Each spring thousands of caribou journey north across the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to the Arctic coast to bear their young. Double-page spreads rendered in watercolor and pencil successfully capture both the climate and expansive terrain, while Hiscock's narrative presents an informative story of migration. Appended notes provide further information.
32 pp.
| Kids Can
| October, 1998
|
TradeISBN 1-55074-435-6$$10.95
(3)
K-3
Wildlife series.
Illustrated by
Pat Stephens.
Logically organized, these books examine the habitats, physiology, diets, and behavioral traits of beavers or members of the deer family. Realistic illustrations show the animals in action in their habitats. A surprising amount of information is covered in each book, and the final pages describe signs (such as tracks and scent mounds) that will aid in spotting these animals in the wild. Glos., ind.