2003 Award Finalists
Animal Talk: How Animals Communicate through Sight, Sound and Smell
by Etta Kaner and Greg Douglas.
Review by Dr. Paul V. Switzer, Eastern Illinois University
Animal Talk is the most recent contribution to an excellent series of animal behavior and ecology books by Etta Kaner and is the RECIPIENT OF THE ANIMAL BEHAVIOR SOCIETY'S 2003 OUTSTANDING CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD.. The book presents animal communication by dividing communication up by context, including "Saying it with Sound," "Saying it with Smell," and "Body language." In each section, Greg Douglas' outstanding illustrations are paired with descriptions of appropriate examples, often including the method of communication (e.g. woodpeckers hammering on hollow logs to send sound over 1 km) and the possible functions of the behavior (e.g. calling for a mate or defending its territory). Also present in each section are two clever and engaging approaches: hands-on experiments that demonstrate a particular point (e.g. waving a paper towel near perfume to demonstrate why ring-tailed lemurs wave their tails during fights) and a "If you were a [animal species]" box, in which more facts are given for a particular species (e.g. "If you were a howler monkey, you'd live in the tropical rainforests of South America…"). Animal Talk does a nice job of including both familiar animals, such as tigers and dolphins, as well as less familiar animals, such as California ground squirrels and water striders. Each section has enough examples to effectively illustrate the point but not so many as to make it difficult to read. However, this book does include lots of information and for younger readers it may be best tackled one section at a time. Children readers consistently commented that they liked the pictures, the amount of information, and the experiments that they could try.
Where Does a Tiger-Heron Spend the Night
by Margaret Carney and Melanie Watt
Review by Dr. Becky Talyn, UC Riverside and Cal State San Bernardino
Rhyming lyrics and detailed illustrations make Where Does a Tiger-Heron Spend the Night a delightful bedtime story, especially for young children. Each page asks a clever question about a particular type of bird; then when you open the flap, an interesting tidbit of behavior is revealed in answer. Children who reviewed Tiger-Heron particularly liked seeing the habitats of the birds in the illustrations, the scenes reveled by opening the pages, and learning more about birds. Older children also liked the last page of the book, which provides more information about each of the twelve bird species that appeared earlier in the book, and younger children enjoyed the question and answer rhyming.
Giant Pandas
by Gail Gibbons
Review by Dr. Sue W. Margulis, Brookfield Zoo
Superb illustrations, attention to detail, and one of the most charismatic and appealing mammals around combine to make Giant Pandas a sure hit, with its fascinating account of the natural history and behavior of the giant panda. Gail Gibbons' beautiful illustrations transport the reader to the rugged mountains of northern China that giant pandas call home. One third grader wrote: "I would read this book over and over and it would NEVER get boring. This book is a wonderful way to learn." The conservation message that is woven throughout the book provides a realistic though hopeful conclusion to a book that will enthrall children and parents.
Look Closer
by Gay Holland
Review by Dr. Sue W. Margulis, Brookfield Zoo
Look Closer: An Introduction to Bug-Watching takes readers through a magnifying glass to examine the fascinating insect life found all around us. Wonderful illustrations blend with informative text to entice even the most reluctant budding naturalist to peer under the leaf litter, into a flower, or through a cat's fur. Although some children had difficulty getting past their bug phobias, most were excited by how fascinating insects could be, others enjoyed the beautiful illustrations of flowers. One child called this his favorite book because of so many pretty pictures and lots of details. Gay Holland's illustrations, and the captivating use of a magnifying glass makes this a delightful book for children of all ages, and indeed entices them to "look closer."
