The Horn Book Guide

SCIENCE

Schaefer, Lola M.

Swamp Chomp

32 pp. | Holiday | April, 2014 | Trade ISBN 978-0-8234-2407-8 $16.95

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Paul Meisel. By brief, pointed text ("Dragonflies swoop. Dip") and colorful multimedia illustrations, the book first introduces seven swamp creatures. Its second half shows them sequentially feeding on each other, from mosquito to alligator, thus illustrating a food chain. Though arguably appropriate for the wetland setting, it isn't always visually clear what's underwater and what's above. An endnote on swamp ecology bolsters the information-skimpy narrative.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian