Animals That Changed the World

January 1, 2011

Gr 4-8-Thomas takes a breezy, conversational look at more than 20 species-from microbes to codfish-that have impacted the Earth in extreme ways. Our practice of keeping herds of livestock has created methane gas and water demands that our planet cannot sustain. Humans may share the fate of the dinosaurs if we fail to avert the climate change brought on by some of our domestications. Animals profiled include the cat, dog, beaver, pigeon, and horse. Cross-references interweave the animals' stories, such as the fact that cats, eradicated as disguised witches during the Middle Ages, might have mitigated the effects of the Black Death. The busy format features narrow columns of text layered on color backgrounds alongside visually stimulating photographs, an occasional drawing, and "Fact Track" and "Speak of the Beast" sections, which explain the etymology of animal idioms such as "the straw that breaks the camel's back." A vignette on Darwin's contribution to the understanding of our interconnectedness is included as is a (not-to-scale) time line.-S. McClendon, Friends School of Atlanta, Decatur, GA

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2010
Goats and guinea pigs, sheep and silkworms, codfish and camels, rats, mosquitoes and microbes (no longer classified as animals) have changed the natural world and human culture. This occasionally sketchy survey is organized in chapters covering domesticated animals, pets, animals that encouraged trade and travel, those that spread disease, the evolution of animals into human beings, the microbes that live inside us and finally a group of "animals that spark inspiration." There's no question it will appeal to fact-loving middle graders, though some information might be questioned (the speculation that Bigfoot represents a "missing link" between humans and apes is hugely problematic, for instance). The lively design presents short paragraphs and multiple illustrations. Repeating sections include "mug shots," facts from names through claims to fame, a "speak of the beast" feature that explains common sayings and gee-whiz "animals did what?!" revelations. Unusual words are highlighted and defined in context, and there is a map and an index (useful for species but not for places). Suggestions for further reading and selected sources as well as a timeline complete the package. (Nonfiction. 7-10)

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