Animal Behavior Society's Outstanding Children's Book Award: 2002

A Pair of Wings

Review by Dr. Abby L. Schwarz, Langara College: This book, the 2001-2002 AWARD RECIPIENT, looks at the great variety of wings and their equally varied uses. Children learn that wings are not just for flying but for communication, swimming, and even climbing. Clear explanations of morphology accompany equally clear descriptions of function and behavior, as in the examples of the albatross' ability to glide effortlessly over the sea and the aerial acrobatics of swifts and swallows. Even bats get some nice "press." One child said that whereas he had been afraid of bats before, he was more interested in them after reading this book. Anne Wertheim has contributed beautiful, accurate and vividly detailed illustrations and there is a nice glossary at the end. Adult reviewers praised its information, style and illustrations. Children praised the high information content, and several said it made them curious to learn more about wings and about animal activities.

Slap, Squeak and Scatter: How Animals Communicate

Review by Dr. Paul V. Switzer, Eastern Illinois University: Slap, Squeak, and Scatter teaches readers about the many methods and functions of animal communication. Topics include communication for raising alarm, agonistic behavior and territoriality, mating behavior, group cohesion, and foraging, and cover over 20 different species of animals, from insects to mammals. By far the most striking features of Jenkins' book are the illustrations: unique illustrations of animals that were originally done as paper collages. These illustrations give the book a tremendous amount of visual interest. The clearly-written descriptions of the behaviors, although not as engaging as in some children's books, provide information on how the animals communicate and what information the animal signals may contain. Children liked the images; some of the older ones (4th-5th grade) stated that they would have liked to have more information in the descriptions. But these descriptions, in combination with the striking artwork (which our adult readers especially liked), should stimulate children's curiosity about animals and their behavior.

Up Close: Headgear That Hides and Plays

Review by Dr. Paul V. Switzer, Eastern Illinois University: Headgear that Hides and Plays is one of a series of quality animal books by author Diane Swanson. In Headgear, readers are introduced to the many functions of elaborate structures that animals may have on their heads. Wonderful, close up photographs of animals are combined with brief descriptions of the use of the headgear. Other descriptions accompany smaller, cartoon drawings of animals using their headgear. In all, the book covers over 50 animals in an informative, yet entertaining and easy to read style. Topics include "Competing Headgear", "Hiding Headgear", "Feeding Headgear", "Courting Headgear", "Defending Headgear", and "Playing Headgear". As an example, in "Feeding Headgear", readers are presented with anglerfish, frogfish, tube worms, and sea anemones. Sea anemones are described to "...shove food into their mouths whole, then spit up whatever they can't digest...tentacles….are great for battling other groups [of anemones]. The anemones beat one another with their stinging cells." Our adult readers liked Headgear's style, pictures and readability, and children reviewers praised Headgear for its pictures and its information.

Will You Sting Me? Will You Bite?: The Truth About Some Scary-Looking Insects (Miller, Sara Swan. Curious Little Critters Series.)

Review by Dr. Abby L. Schwarz, Langara College: This lively and engaging book shows children which insects should be left alone, which ones pose no threat to people, and how to tell the difference. The author discusses 12 different insects, from dragonflies to mosquitoes. She presents a considerable amount of natural history in clear, simple prose that children can easily absorb. Short, humorous poems end each chapter. The illustrations by Rick Chrustowski are clear, colorful and accurate. Adult reviewers liked the combination of behavior and function and found the writing and illustrations great. Children liked its poetry, pictures and information.