Outrageous Animal Adaptations

January 1, 2018

Gr 5-8-From the Camel spider's giant jaw to the vegetarian diet of the manatee, Rosen explores the peculiar and unique adaptations that have allowed a number of species to survive and thrive in their sometimes harsh ecosystems. Vibrant photos, helpful call-outs (including basic species information, adaptation highlights, and curious facts), and longer summaries fill the book. Covering a wealth of phylums and classes in the animal kingdom, Rosen's text is bound to pique the interest of readers as he skillfully covers each animal. The bold color palette of red and lime green give the book an eye-catching look, while cross sections and diagrams explain geoducks and more. Whether exploring the book as a resource for a science project or to satiate curiosity, readers will have trouble looking away from the occasionally gross-out photos and lively text. VERDICT Both public and school libraries should consider adding this to their collections.-Sarah Knutson, American Canyon Middle School, CA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2017
Profiles of 24 curious creatures, from the waxy monkey tree frog to Vampyroteuthis infernalis (literally, "vampire squid from hell").In introducing his diverse menagerie, Rosen focuses particularly on how each creature uses one or more of its distinctive physical features, such as the claws that give mole crickets "major mining mojo" or the jaws of the Tasmanian devil, which can deliver a bite over 15 times as powerful as the average dog's. Along with covering basic adaptations to various habitats or niches, he also points to examples of convergent evolution and highlights intriguing recent discoveries--notably a type of fish that can begin altering its body to cope with a drier environment in only a few months, thus hinting at how quickly life might have first moved from the sea. Full taxonomic classifications for each animal accompany side notes on other features and behaviors worthy of mention, and at the end, the author adds generous lists of print and web resources for readers with a yen to dig deeper. The stock photos are a weak point, being too small to have much impact, but Rosen's narrative ("Finally, the camel spider sprays digestive juices onto the victim, which quickly dissolves into a protein shake that the spider can slurp down with a satisfied ahh!") offers imagery that's vivid enough to compensate.Both budding zoologists and children with even just a mild interest in the natural world will slurp this down. (index) (Nonfiction. 10-13)

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