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52 pp.
| Kids Can
| October, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-77138-790-3$12.99
(3)
1-3
Big Words Small Stories series.
Illustrated by
T. L. McBeth.
Six everyday-type vignettes feature a kid and pet who learn "big words" (including flabbergasted and irked) with help from the Sprinkle Fairy. It's pretty obvious that the spot-illustrated stories are written around the vocabulary words, but prompts from the texts will have kids trying out the new words, which are, yes, big as well as funny-sounding enough to keep their attention. Review covers these Big Words Small Stories titles: Smell the Daisies and Traveling Dustball.
(4)
K-3
Weird and Unusual Animals series.
Simple but choppy text offers a beginner's look at this unusual salamander, enhanced by bright, close-up photographs. Brief descriptions examine the axolotl's appearance, diet, habitat, life cycle, and challenges for survival. "Weird but True" sidebars and boldfaced science terms reinforce the main text and encourage further exploration. Includes a basic anatomy chart. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
(4)
K-3
Changing Animals series.
The focus of these easy-to-read texts is on the physical changes frogs and salamanders undergo as they develop. Minimal information on food is provided; predators are not discussed, and readers may wonder what dangers the animals face as they grow. The texts are illustrated with large, clear stock photos. A final section offers a few additional facts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Changing Animals titles: Becoming a Frog and Becoming a Salamander.
(4)
K-3
Zoom In on Swamp Animals series.
These basic introductions to various swamp reptiles and amphibians offer cursory facts about appearance, habitat, food, and life cycle. Simple (if choppy) texts for emergent readers are adequately reflected in the accompanying photos. The appended "Quick Stats" sections offer oddly conceived size comparisons (e.g., "a newt is longer than a baseball" and "lighter than a deck of cards"). Glos., ind. Review includes these Zoom In on Swamp Animals titles: Alligators, Crocodiles, Newts, and Salamanders.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Shennen Bersani.
A girl and her scientist father find salamanders in a vernal pool; for five months, she records what she and her dad observe about two hatchlings they bring to the lab ("since Dad is a scientist"). A scrapbook-like design includes color photos of varying quality and amateurish drawings. More information about salamanders and the work of biologists is appended.
24 pp.
| ABDO
| September, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-62403-740-5$25.65
(4)
K-3
Super SandCastle: Animal Superpowers series.
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.
203 pp.
| Dial
| January, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8037-3846-1$12.99
(3)
4-6
Iguana Wendell's nightmares are disrupting his sleep, so his friends enlist the help of Danny Dragonbreath's great-grandfather to explore inside Wendell's mind. They discover a Dream Wasp wreaking havoc, and the only solution is a Japanese dream-eater. Goofy humor and mild adventure pair perfectly with black, white, and green-tinged comic-style illustrations in an installment that's best for devoted fans.
32 pp.
| Simon/Wiseman
| September, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4424-0601-8$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Melissa Sweet.
Salamander Spike is an axolotl, which means "water monstrosity," but despite his attempts to prove otherwise, his friends think he's cute. When a Gila monster arrives at the lake, all the animals flee, and little Spike uses his "monster moves" to save the day. Vibrant colors accentuate the Mexican setting. Appended is "More About Spike and His Amigos" and a Spanish word glossary.
32 pp.
| Lerner
| February, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7613-6737-6$25.26
(4)
K-3
Lightning Bolt Books: Animal Look-Alikes series.
Varied close-up and annotated photographs accompany a lively text that compares and contrasts geckos, which are reptiles, with salamanders, which are amphibians. Areas covered include birth and growth cycles, physical differences, and defensive techniques of each species. The colorful layouts are busy but will draw in curious students of nature. Reading list. Glos., ind.
24 pp.
| Enslow/Elementary
| February, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3679-6$21.26
(3)
K-3
Which Animal Is Which? series.
This clever compare-and-contrast approach makes differences between often-confused creatures easy to understand and remember. For each spread, large-print text introduces a point of comparison ("Long or Short Legs?" "Freshwater or Salt Water?" "Smooth or Scaly Skin?"); answers appear alongside vibrant captioned photos of the animals. Helpful color-coded summaries and "What a Surprise!" facts are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Which Animal Is Which? titles: Alligator or Crocodile?[cf1, Frog or Toad?, and Salamander or Lizard?
24 pp.
| Bearport
| January, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-936087-37-2$22.61
(4)
K-3
Amphibiana series.
This series provides a cursory introduction to frogs, toads, and other amphibians. The books emphasize the similarities among all amphibians while highlighting species' unique capabilities. Each volume conveys information about the life cycle of the title animal as well as its habitat, diet, and environmental dangers; there is some repetition across volumes. The vivid close-up photographs are eye-catching. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Amphibiana titles: Amazing Water Frogs, Little Newts, Slimy Salamanders, Warty Toads, Tricky Tree Frogs, and Leaping Ground Frogs.
40 pp.
| Boyds
| March, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-1-932425-98-7$17.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Carol Benioff.
With warm spring rains coming down, Evan wonders if this evening will be the highly anticipated "Big Night," when spotted salamanders come out of hibernation. He and his family help the salamanders safely cross the road to find their vernal pool breeding spot. Occasionally awkward art won't interfere with readers getting to the book's solid information. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
248 pp.
| Bloomsbury
| September, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59990-018-6$16.95
(3)
4-6
Tales of the Frog Princess series.
In this prequel to her Frog Princess books, Baker explains how Grassina met Haywood and became the Green Witch. Grassina is a strong-willed heroine, and her sibling rivalry with her sister rings true. Readers of the four previous books starring Grassina's niece, Emma, will recognize many familiar characters; they'll find more humor here than will newcomers to the series.
24 pp.
| Enslow/Elementary
| July, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-2790-9$21.26
(4)
K-3
I Like Reptiles and Amphibians! series.
These volumes feature basic information about each animal. Topics include size, habitat, lifespan, feeding habits, and predators. Each book ends with a life-cycle diagram. The clean design includes one or two vivid, well-placed photographs on each spread. While the texts tend toward oversimplification, these volumes will be of interest to young readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these I Like Reptiles and Amphibians! titles: Fun Facts about Alligators!, Fun Facts about Frogs!, Fun Facts about Lizards!, Fun Facts about Salamanders!, Fun Facts about Snakes!, and Fun Facts about Turtles!
24 pp.
| Bearport
| January, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59716-386-6$21.28
(4)
K-3
SuperSized! series.
Stock photos and maps support a simple text to introduce the world's largest and heaviest reptiles and amphibians. Though the writing is vague in places ("The snake will not have to eat again for a long time"), in general it provides a straightforward, accessible explanation of the habitat, diet, physical features, life cycle, and behavior of each animal. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these SuperSized! titles: Leatherback Turtle, Saltwater Crocodile, Komodo Dragon, Green Anaconda, and Chinese Giant Salamander.
24 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2005
|
LibraryISBN 1-59197-334-1$21.35
(3)
K-3
Buddy Books: Animal Kingdom series.
These brief but adequate books feature clear texts focusing on topics including the types of each animal, size, habitat, food, and reproduction. Captioned photos or illustrations on each spread illustrate the text and add interest. Words listed in the glossary are highlighted in the text and will help report writers. Ind. Review covers these Buddy Books: Animal Kingdom titles: Copperheads, Crocodiles, Frogs, Lizards, Rattlesnakes, and Salamanders.
48 pp.
| Heinemann
| March, 2004
|
LibraryISBN 1-4034-0826-2$$27.07
(4)
4-6
Keeping Unusual Pets series.
A section at the beginning of each title describing the responsibilities inherent in taking care of this type of pet will help the wary or overeager child make the best decision, while smaller boxes of text provide animal trivia. The busy pages are illustrated with color photos. Addresses, reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Keeping Unusual Pets titles: Hermit Crabs, Potbellied Pigs, Lizards, Salamanders, and Cockatiels.
(2)
4-6
Alfredo's family has just perished in a catastrophic fire, and the cathedral priests are pressuring the boy to preserve his singing voice by submitting to castration (acceptable in eighteenth-century Italy). Instead, mysterious Uncle Giorgio spirits him away to the ancestral home where much is amiss. With its dramatic, beautifully described setting, intricate supernatural mystery, and hairsbreadth escapes, the story is mesmerizing.
32 pp.
| Lerner
| January, 1999
|
LibraryISBN 0-8225-3612-9$$21.27
(3)
K-3
Pull Ahead Books series.
Photographs by
John Netherton.
These brief volumes introduce young readers to the physical characteristics, behavior, and life cycles of salamanders and alligators. Together with a good variety of color photographs, the very simple texts convey basic facts as well as ask questions, prompting readers to think analytically. Each book includes a territory map and a physical diagram. Glos., ind.
92 pp.
| Greenwillow
| March, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-688-16220-7$$15.00
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Jos. A. Smith.
Ben finds an unusual lizardlike animal that he is pretty certain is some sort of exotic primeval creature and talks his friends Kate and Foster into helping him find out what it is. The plot is low-key but believable, and the main characters are more fully fleshed out than they were in this book's predecessor, Starshine and Sunglow. The novel's brevity and its enticing title and jacket art are all elements that should help it reach its target audience.
Reviewer: Nancy Vasilakis
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 1999
21 reviews
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