Tarantulas

November 1, 2012

Gr 3-5-This high-interest set presents well-organized information about unusual subjects in both their natural environments and as household pets. Habitats, defenses, descriptions, diets, life cycles, and care are clearly described in straightforward text enlivened by interjections ("Yikes!" and "Gross!") and chatty sentences ("What animals look like small dragons, live in the treetops, and love to swim?"). Readers are encouraged to buy from responsible breeders and to prepare for ownership by checking on the animal's local legality as well as by finding an expert vet. Color photos are informative, if often small, and compared to similar sets the layout in general is bland, with few sidebars and no diagrams or punchy graphics. The publisher's web address included in the back of each book links readers to informative, kid-friendly sites.

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