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K-3
Disgusting Critters series.
A smiling slug ("Yo!") welcomes readers in to this humorous science book. Accurate facts ("The slug is a mollusk, like the snail, but it doesn't have a shell") appear alongside smart-alecky commentary and silly cartoon illustrations: "Ha ha! You're naked!" taunts a snail to the blushing slug. A kid-friendly, giggle-inducing approach to information.
(3)
PS
Thingy Things series.
Playful and deceptively simple in both art and text, each small square book (two of which were previously published) features the title character ("Moosey Moose is mad"; "Buggy Bug has something to say"; etc.). Raschka's deftly minimal paintings show only the animal on each brightly colored page. Sweet and appealing but never cloying, these books are best shared one-on-one. Review covers these Thingy Things titles: Buggy Bug, Clammy Clam, Doggy Dog, and Moosey Moose.
(3)
4-6
Criaturas increíbles series.
This series covers groups of animals, from mollusks to mammals, birds, and insects. The text, including sidebars with unusual facts, will maintain readers' interest while fully covering the basics: diet, physical characteristics, reproduction, etc. Close-up photographs of animal eyes on each cover reflect the attention-grabbing nature of Townsend's approach. The well-executed Spanish translation of the leveled text is smooth and precise. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Criaturas increíbles titles: Anfibios increíbles, Arácnidos increíbles, Aves increíbles, Insectos increíbles, Mamíferos increíbles, Moluscos increíbles, Peces increíbles, and Reptiles increíbles.
32 pp.
| Cavendish
| March, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-5332-1$16.99
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K-3
Bears Buddy and Mama spend a day at the beach collecting shells, learning about them, and taking breakfast, snack, and lunch breaks. As an informational book about shells, this is useful, but the story is forced. Wallace's cut-paper illustrations showcase plenty of examples of the featured shells. The endpapers differentiate between cold- and warm-water shells.
48 pp.
| Peachtree
| March, 2005
|
TradeISBN 1-56145-331-5$15.95
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K-3
Illustrated by
John Sill.
"Mollusks have soft, moist bodies with no bones." One factual line of text per spread is accurately illustrated in watercolors that show the animals in various underwater, mud-filled, and land-based habitats. A six-page afterword provides additional information above the reading level of the main text. Websites. Bib.
(3)
4-6
Incredible Creatures series.
Eye-catching photographs and interesting facts about these groups of animals are used to show how each is "incredible." A range of species, life cycles, environmental issues, and body types are covered in each volume. "Wild Words," a mini-glossary at the bottom of each page, is a helpful feature, and Internet search tips are included. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Incredible Creatures titles: Incredible Arachnids, Incredible Insects, and Incredible Mollusks.
32 pp.
| Candlewick
| May, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-7636-1715-6$$10.99 1991, McElderry
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PS
At the beach Sally pries a limpet off its rock only to find it has attached itself to her finger. No one, not her muscular dad or even the doctor, can remove it. In frustration Sally runs straight back to the beach and into the water--where the limpet promptly wiggles off. Humorous cartoonlike drawings suit the story.
64 pp.
| Blackbirch
| August, 1999
|
LibraryISBN 1-56711-379-6$$19.95
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4-6
Animal Architects series.
Emphasizing the inherent beauty of the homes these animals make, Robinson explains the complex processes at work when creatures such as termites, ants, scallops, clams, spiders, and caterpillars build their homes. Captioned color photos and clear diagrams will draw readers into the comprehensive texts. Scientific classification charts and list of common and scientific names are included. Bib., glos., ind.
(3)
K-3
Rookie Read-About Science series.
This small, square book provides a brief, easy-to-read introduction to the basic physical characteristics of crustaceans (including lobsters) and mollusks (such as clams). Close-up color photographs present each shellfish species examined, and a picture glossary offered at the back of the book offers an adequate summary. Ind.