A Spiny Back and Green Scaly Skin (Iguana)

November 1, 2015

K-Gr 3-A page featuring a photograph and listing unique descriptors and a habitat are used to introduce each newborn before the animal in question is identified. Each title takes readers through the stages of development, from infancy to adulthood. A Giant Egg breaks that pattern, spending more time on the nesting and incubation process and the parents' appearance than on infant development. Vivid, carefully selected photos fill each page, labels highlight details, and the text is set on bright backgrounds. A closing "Fact File" spread adds further information, including a size comparison to adult humans and a world map of the animal's range. The endangered status of pandas in Tiny Paws and orangutans in Tiny Fingers is addressed. The indexes are more extensive than usual for introductory titles. VERDICT Solid options, especially for educators teaching index use.

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.