Arapaima

April 1, 2017
Gr 3-5-Each featured beast fills an apex predator role in the rain forest ecosystem. Content focuses on predation in the first half, including the subject's diet and hunting methods, with photos that show some of the action of the hunt. Life cycles and habitats are also introduced. Writing is clear and direct, avoiding generalization. Readers learn, for example, that a bull shark is an apex predator in the Amazon, but not in the ocean. While apex predators are defined with examples provided, their impact on rain forest food chains is not explored. Captioned photographs highlight key physical features, while occasional close-ups and insets also support factual details effectively. Other features include a range map, a -science lab- activity, and question boxes that actually promote critical thinking, rather than repetition of facts from within the text. VERDICT Well-rounded species profiles suitable for reports.

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