500s: Dinosaurs to Dolphins: Series Nonfiction on Reptiles and Fish

When it comes to sharks, snakes, dinosaurs, and sea creatures, a cover illustration alone is often enough to capture the interest of young readers. A fish or reptile book that will succeed after it has been opened must have readable text that captures the wonder these creatures inspire. Dynamic illustrations, interplay of words and pictures, effective use of captions and fact boxes, and overall book design also affect enjoyment. These series examine some interesting animal groups. Each also endeavors to instill excitement and learning opportunities into the pages to build upon the intrinsic appeal of the subject matter.

Gr 2-5–Action-packed episodes in a graphic-novel format introduce the life of a young dinosaur. Present-tense narration relates the reptile’s experiences, many of which involve narrow escapes from deadly predators. Full-color paneled illustrations set the pace, accentuating drama with varied perspectives and effective page designs. Facts about dinosaurs and other creatures of the time come through unobtrusively. The narration is not too wordy and appropriately focuses on behavior and action, without personification. Basic facts about the featured dinosaur appear on the first couple of pages, but many readers will skip to the story and the eye-catching illustrations.

Gr 1-3–Sensationalized titles and action-packed covers should draw interest to this well-conceived introduction to dinosaurs. A sentence or two offers a key fact about the animal with follow-up data in a brief question-and-answer format. In each volume, a size chart, a fact box, and the phonetic pronunciation of the name, along with its meaning, provide further basics. Each spread features an effective full-color painting of the dinosaur in action; most add a smaller illustration showing bones, spot details, or modern animal relatives. A handy map and time chart identify where and when each species lived, rounding out the well-organized presentation.

Gr 2-4–This set does a solid job of covering fundamental facts about snakes. Clear prose describes physical features, environments, and behaviors in a way that is easy to follow. Several “Fun Fact” text boxes add extra information and glossary definitions appear at the bottom of the page where the term is used, a nice feature for younger readers. Color photographs illustrate a variety of species within the general group, though usually without captions for specific identification. Each book includes a baby snake scene, a close-up of the head showing key features, and at least one impressive view of a snake swallowing its prey.

Gr 2-4–Each of eight animals appears in a large-format, captioned photograph that fills a spread. Additional photographs appear in inset circles, neatly highlighting especially interesting physical features, such as the teeth in a giant squid’s suckers. Two large-print paragraphs provide basic physical descriptions and point out intriguing behaviors. Some page headings, like “Garibaldi Fish,” are much more specific than others, such as “Seals,” and a couple of pictures don’t match up perfectly with the text, but for the most part this is a dynamic introduction to some fascinating marine animals.

K-Gr 2–This set features easy-to-read, repetitive text aimed at new readers. One or two sentences per page introduce the most basic facts about sharks, briefly covering physical features, birth and growth, and food. Full-page photographs show the fish in their undersea environment. The texts are occasionally too vague to be useful, and some of the visuals are fairly routine. Other photos, however, give helpful visual references to verbal descriptions, such as the tiny teeth of the whale shark. Though not perfect, the series fills a need for high-interest nonfiction materials at the easiest reading levels.

Gr 2-5–This colorful, direct, and well-presented series will be great for kids interested in starting from scratch with a pet. Each book tells what to consider when deciding which companion to get, how to choose the right pet for the right individual, and then presents a list of “top 10” types to choose from (breeds of dogs, types of small mammals, etc.). This alphabetical list includes information about the appearance, general behavior, and special needs of each type of animal. These books can be read cover to cover or mined for information about a specific breed or species. Each one includes beautiful full-color photos showing the animals at their best. Judicious use of text boxes, crisp fonts, and white space will make it easy for readers to follow the flow of information. In keeping with their Humane Association affiliation, the books stress the value of adopting adult pets from shelters.

Gr 3-6–These books represent pet care as a commitment that is hard work but not daunting. Each volume combines tips, hints, and rules with general information about the animal, providing readers with an overall impression of their pet. Spreads include in-depth care instruction, and “Q & A” sidebars that answer common behavioral questions. While no preference is shown for pets from shops or breeders (with the exception of dogs, which should never be purchased from a store), the books all stress empathy for the animals, often asking children to question how their behavior can affect their pets. Each title finishes with a spread directed at adults. The books are intended for children to read by themselves, but it is understood that keeping a pet is a mutual endeavor and that adult help will be necessary. The layout is clear, with full color photos and illustrations breaking up the text. While not groundbreaking, this is a competent, accessible series, perfect for replacing older holdings or beefing up current collections.–Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA

The popularity of the animals featured in these series makes them all worth considering for purchase, though they take varied approaches. The simple language of “Sharks” may be unexciting, but it’s accessible to beginners, and the topic alone generates enthusiasm. “Snakes” provides more information within a well-organized structure that works nicely for slightly older readers. Both series feature photographs that are generally effective, but not exceptional. “Dino Times Trivia” uses a balanced combination of paintings, fact boxes, and interactive text for a slightly more lively presentation, while “Graphic Dinosaurs” demonstrates the strong potential of the graphic-novel format for informational books on a high-interest topic. “Under the Sea” offers basic information, but stands out through the inviting design and well-chosen photos that will add to readers’ learning experiences.

See How They Run: Series Nonfiction on Animals (Spring 2009)

Abhorrent and Amazing: Series Nonfiction on Odd Animals (Fall 2008)

A Furry Few: Series Nonfiction on Mammals (Fall 2008)