Platypus!

July 1, 2004
PreS-Gr. 1. "The sun is setting. Many animals are going to sleep. But the platypus . . . is just waking up." Short sentences in boldface type introduce a day in the life of this curious animal, imparting a surprising amount of information in just a few words. Beginning readers will learn what platypuses eat, what they look like ("about as long as a cat" with "thick, slick fur" and a "long strong tail like a beaver"), where they make their homes, and so on. A passage that reads, "The platypus is a mammal. People are mammals, too" may confuse young children, who may need a fuller explanation of " mammal." But Clarke neatly combines facts with a simple, exciting text filled with engaging action words ("She twists and twirls. She spins and swoops") and glossy computer-generated close-ups of the animal at work and play. Suggest this Step into Reading title to new readers looking for a good nonfiction choice.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)