December 1, 2011
Gr 3-4-These easy readers profile four kinds of snakes from different parts of the world. Short sentences in large-print text, set on brightly colored backgrounds, describe the reptiles' major physical characteristics; habitats; hunting and feeding methods; defense mechanisms; typical prey; use of venom (excepting the non-venomous bull snakes, which employ constriction to kill prey); and natural enemies. Kraits also mentions egg-laying behavior and the birth of young. A sharp color photograph of a representative species accompanies the text on almost every page; most are close-ups. Each title includes at least one photo of a snake gulping down prey (a shot always popular with snake fans) and a small map representing its continent of origin, colored red to indicate geographical range. About a dozen simple scientific terms and other words that appear in boldface are defined in the glossaries. While all four titles have straightforward, clearly written texts, they are brief, and the amount of detail on any topic is limited. Gail Gibbons's Snakes (Holiday House, 2008) and Dorothy Hinshaw Patent's Slinky, Scaly, Slithery Snakes (Walker, 2000) offer more information on anatomy, locomotion, reproduction, etc., but there is little, if any, mention of the species covered in Frazel's titles. Considering the perennial popularity of the subject, these profusely illustrated readers will find an eager audience.-Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library
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