Fish Tricks

October 1, 2016
The members of the oldest group of vertebrates on Earth have quite a few tricks up their sleeves.Levesque opens with an overview of fish types and anatomy thorough enough to cover the five kinds of fish scales. Following this, she introduces 26 fishy featsfrom using lures, water jets, and even tools to snag prey to producing electrical fields, mouth brooding eggs and hatchlings, turning blood to antifreeze in cold habitats, and gender switching. Her bright, realistically rendered digital portraits place her subjects in natural underwater (or, for seven-spots archerfish and mudskippers, open-air) settings. She covers nearly 50 named species that employ these innate or learned tricks. Her grasp of dry-land biology isnt as firm as it might be (no, crickets do not use their legs to chirp), but overall these finny tricksters put on a show that will immerse young naturalists in watery wonders. A show that is well worth the price of admission. (index, websites) (Nonfiction. 10-13)

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November 1, 2016

Gr 3 Up-This volume swims in deep and shallow waters to introduce a variety of fish species, along with what traits make each type special. Divided into four sections, the work begins with common characteristics of fish, anatomy, and more before moving on to noteworthy survival tactics and adaptations. Each chapter consists of a spread with a large illustration, accompanied by several paragraphs of information. Size or feature comparisons with other aquatic life will further assist readers in their comprehension. Unfortunately, the vocabulary is a bit advanced for the intended audience. However, the scientific names are included in the back matter. VERDICT Marine life enthusiasts will enjoy this title on the uncanny abilities of fish. Recommended for elementary-age animal and science collections.-Kristin Unruh, Siersma Elementary School, Warren, MI

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