Swan (Spotlight on Nature)

A detailed chronology of developmental milestones drives this life study of swans, including their habitats, physical features, and conservation measures taken to protect these long-necked water birds. Read more Continue reading Read less FROM SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Gr 4-6-Organized chronologically, these in-depth animal profiles cover life stages from birth through adulthood. Clear prose describes animal development, weaving in statistics and key facts about habitat, family structures, physical characteristics, and behaviors. A related "Meet the Family" section narrates the progress of specific species, interwoven with the main text that covers the broader animal group. A time line at the page bottom tracks the animal's age. Photographs highlight key data, often expanded with highly effective "close up" features. The complexities of the koala's "paws and claws," for example, are shown perfectly with eye-catching images and explanatory text (Koala) . Occasional full-page photos feature fun, oversized captions that add to the visual appeal. Closing pages look at the animal's status in the wild and current conservation efforts. VERDICT First-rate animal portraits for middle grade students.α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Read more Continue reading Read less