Hair!

February 1, 2019

Gr 2-5-Singer explores the different kinds of hair on mammals, what makes a mammal a mammal, and all sorts of fascinating details about how hair helps animals and humans. While a cartoon bird and dog give commentary and additional information throughout the book, full-color photos of various animals and humans are used to illustrate the facts and terms that make up the life science of mammals and the hair that makes them what they are. From how hair is used to camouflage and protect, to how hair can indicate how healthy an animal is, this book is filled with little known facts and explanations. The back matter is filled with additional answered questions about hair, a glossary, and a selected bibliography. VERDICT An excellent purchase for elementary nonfiction collections.-Molly Dettmann, Norman North High School, OK

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2019
Mammals, including humans, are distinguished by having hair, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot, in many colors and forms, and for many purposes.This lively book addresses a familiar subject in an engaging way. Singer speaks directly to her readers, opening with the question "Were you a hairy baby?" The format is straightforward: short expository paragraphs accompanied by stock photos overlaid with Colombet's cartoon images of a komondor (a long-haired Hungarian sheepdog) and a hoopoe (a bird with a distinctive crest but no hair) who comment and ask questions in speech bubbles. After discussing human hair, Singer goes on to consider the hair of other mammals, explaining differences in hair and its varied functions, introducing and defining appropriate terminology as necessary. She returns to hair on human bodies to explain the functions of eyelashes and eyebrows. The tiny hairs in human nostrils are sensitive vibrissae, like the whiskers of dogs and cats. Finally she points out that while individual humans may choose to change their hair, hair also changes as we age. "No two people--or any other mammals--have hair that's the same. That makes every one of us unique." (Humans depicted are diverse.) Of all the author's many books, this is most like Eggs (2008) in its conversational, informational approach.Sure to be welcomed in settings with curious elementary-age children. (hair trivia, glossary, selected bibliography, further reading) (Nonfiction. 7-10)

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March 15, 2019
Grades 2-5 In this delightful volume, readers learn how to distinguish the distinctive kinds of hair mammals have and its numerous and often very important uses. While thick, curly wool and soft fur help to keep animals warm during cold weather, hairs such as a porcupine's quills serve an equally important role in protection. Young readers will be surprised to learn that while hairs on our lashes and eyebrows help in protection and conveying emotion, the hair atop our heads might be a good indicator of health. Large photographs, often maximized and zoomed in, correspond with the hair attributes described on each page and make it easy for readers to view different hair types on mammals all over the world in action. An illustrated dog-and-bird duo accompany readers from page to page, providing further information and witty commentary. A Trivial Fursuit section provides interesting hair trivia, followed by a glossary of terms, selected bibliography, and books and websites for further reading. A fun and informative addition to children's nonfiction collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)