2007 Award Finalists

Book Review: Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses? 

By Stanley Coren

 RECIPIENT OF THE 2007 OUTSTANDING CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD from the Animal Behavior Society

Review by Sue Margulis, Lincoln Park Zoo

 How long have dogs and humans been friends? Do dogs see colors? Why do dogs have wet noses? This engaging little book by psychologist Stanley Coren answers these and other burning questions about “man’s best friend.” The book melds natural history, applied behavior, and a liberal sprinkling of “fun facts” and anecdotes that keep young readers engaged, yet even older readers will find the book informative and entertaining. Coren addresses each question with a concise answer, and uses delightful photos of a wide variety of dog breeds that will make anyone, child or adult, smile.

 Student reviewers were captivated by the photos and the content. A fourth-grader commented: “I like…the pictures and the writing of the book,” and a fifth grader noted: “I liked this book because it shows me how to act around my dog.” While many of the books submitted for consideration were fictional, one third grader commented: “I like this book because it has true things in it.” Perhaps the most frequent comment was simply: “I liked this book because I love dogs.”

 The Children’s Book Award committee was impressed by the large amount of information on dog behavior and natural history packed into this book. We were pleased to see a book focusing on applied aspects of behavior, providing factual information yet doing so in a cogent and conversational manner. The author is an experienced dog trainer and hosts a television show in Canada.

Book Review: Hey There, Stink Bug

by Leslie Bulion, illustrated by Leslie Evans. 

Reviewed by Chris Cratsley, Ph.D., Fitchburg State College

 “It’s a bug’s world of intrigue and mystery.” So begins the last poem in a delightful collection about insects and spiders, Hey There Stink Bug, by Leslie Bulion, illustrated by Leslie Evans. The 19 poems and accompanying illustrations that make up this collection do a wonderful job of portraying the intriguing and mysterious behavior of these animals.  Each poem, save the first and last, is also accompanied by a brief passage providing factual information for the reader. The entertaining, ear and eye-catching poems and illustrations are nicely balanced by these clear, concise explanations. In addition, the book concludes with a glossary, some notes on the types of poems, and a list of some resources for further study. Together all these elements make this an ideal book for parents or teachers introducing the study of insects and spiders at home or in a classroom. As one young reviewer raved “It’s fun to read about insects and arachnids in poems, and I think everyone would like it.”

Book Review:  Little Lost Bat                

Author: Sandra Markle    Illustrator: Alan Marks     Publisher: Charlesbridge  Watertown, MA           

 The author and illustrator create a touching and accurate image of the birth and care of an infant Mexican Free-tail bat.  The story depicted realistic accounts of the ups and downs of the life of a young bat - the struggle to stay warm, cling to the safety of the cave ceiling, and daily ritual of locating its mother by call among the other thousands calls of bats.   The students were most impressed with the description of the birth of the baby bat, noting how the mother curls her body into a hammock shape while hanging upside-down.  The students related the care and attention the mother bat provided her baby to the care and attention their own mothers provide to them and their siblings.  The story also tells of lost and survival and how caring and affection exists among all animals, not just in humans.  I, like many of the students, would recommend this book to friends.

Book Review: Well-Schooled Fish and Feathered Bandits

By Peter Christie  Published by Annick Press

Review by Paul V. Switzer, Ph.D., Eastern Illinois University

Well-schooled Fish and Feathered Bandits is great book full of examples of how and why animals learn things from other animals.  The book consists of chapters such as learning what to eat, what predators to look out for, how to make and use tools, who to mate with, and what to sing.  Fascinating tales, taken right out of research on animal behavior, are delivered in clear, easy to read snippets: rats that sniff each other’s breath to learn what to eat, female quail that mate with a male just because other females have chosen him as a mate, and whales that learn songs from other whales.  Adult reviewers found the book visually appealing and thought the information was wonderful, but thought some of the organization might be a little confusing for younger children (e.g. one-page stories frequently interrupt the chapter in midstream).  Children reviewers loved the facts, pictures, and humor.  Overall this is a nice book to introduce children (ages 9-11) to some amazing animal behavior!