About Raptors

September 1, 2010

K-Gr 2-This book comes as a boon to young audiences. One short, clearly written sentence or phrase per page communicates the basics about raptors: who they are, where they live, what they eat, and how they hunt. Their similarities, such as strong feet with sharp claws, and their differences, such as locations and kinds of nests, communicate diversity in raptors throughout the world. Eighteen quality watercolors focus on the birds in their natural habitats. Then in an afterword, all of the illustrations are included in miniature with a short paragraph expanding upon the original topics introduced in the text. These deeper explanations reveal more details: "Some raptors that raise their chicks on cliffs and ledges do not build a nest. They scrape out a place in the dirt and gravel to lay their eggs." This book is a must-buy for all libraries interested in building a strong natural-science collection for their young patrons.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2010
Grades K-3 This volume from the About . . . series spotlights birds of prey. Each right-hand page carries a watercolor painting of raptors in action or at rest. On each facing page, a large-print sentence or phrase offers related facts, such as when the birds hunt, where they build their nests, and why they have sharp claws. Appendixes include a glossary, lists of books and Web sites, and small versions of the same illustrations paired with paragraphs of further information. With a clear, simple text and handsome, sometimes dramatic paintings of birds in different habitats, this is a fine introduction.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)