Is a Camel a Mammal?

May 1, 1999
K-Gr 2-These books aim to introduce beginning readers to basic concepts in an entertaining manner. The author employs familiar characters from Dr. Seuss's "Cat in the Hat" titles to present information showing the diverse range of birds and mammals. The manic parade of rhyming facts, however, is confusing and contrived. Fine Feathered Friends is annoyingly superficial. In Is a Camel a Mammal?, a number of examples prove that mammals come in all sizes, live in many types of environments, and have various eating habits. Two basic facts, however, are mentioned in the glossary but not in the text: that mammal babies feed on their mothers' milk, and that they have backbones. In both books, the cartoon illustrations fail to distinguish among the many creatures. Series such as "Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science" (HarperCollins), "Read and Wonder" (Candlewick), and Jim Arnosky's "Crinkleroot" books (S & S) are all better choices.-Marilyn Taniguchi, Santa Monica Public Library, CA

Copyright 1999 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.