Treefrogs

May 1, 2002
Gr 3-6-In two-page chapters, these introductions briefly describe their subjects' physical and behavioral characteristics, geographical range, diet, natural enemies, etc. Leopard Frogs and Wood Frogs also include the process of metamorphosis; in addition, the latter title explains how frogs mate. The format is busy. On almost every spread, an excellent clear, color close-up of the subject in its natural habitat extends over both pages. However, the half of the photo that depicts the animal's surroundings serves as a partial background for the large-type text, which is set against a block of pale green that is superimposed on a rectangle that looks like amphibian skin. A picture caption appears beneath the text block. About half of the chapters include small, boxed inserts with shots of other frogs, special anatomical features, or miscellaneous facts. The loosely organized texts are for the most part clearly written and include some details not found in general introductions, such as descriptions of the distinctive mating calls of the respective frogs. However, some basic information is omitted. Only Treefrogs and Wood Frogs identify the animals as amphibians and only Leopard Frogs mentions that frogs are cold-blooded. Its definition of the term, however, fails to explain that body temperature changes with the animals' surroundings. Omissions aside, report writers will find the books useful companions to general introductions such as James Martin's excellent Frogs (Crown, 1997).-Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library

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