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Phyllis Saroff
17 Reviews
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Phyllis Saroff.
Collared lemming Tuktuk discovers the perfect winter bedding: a fur-lined kamik (Inuit boot). As Tuktuk drags it to his burrow, a polar bear, an Arctic fox, and a caribou all want the boot for themselves. The dull and familiar trickster tale is elevated by eye-catching realistic illustrations conveying the tundra's natural beauty. Back matter includes information on Arctic seasons and wildlife and a matching activity. Glos.
Reviewer: Russell Perry
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Phyllis Saroff.
From a lion's roar at dawn to the terrified shriek of a captured baby baboon at noon to the high-pitched sounds of bats hunting at night, the savanna is brought to life through evocative descriptions of a day's animal sounds. Dramatic realistic illustrations are sometimes marred by garish colors. Back matter includes experiments and information on sound and a prey-and-predators sorting quiz.
Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Phyllis Saroff.
In honor of Tu B'Shvat, the "New Year for Trees," a young boy wishes his favorite crabapple a year of sun, rain, birds, blossoms, and the strength to endure storms: "May you stand, firm and straight, for years to come." The realistic illustrations are better at depicting nature than people. An explanation of the holiday closes the book. Glos.
Reviewer: Amy Kellman
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Phyllis V. Saroff.
These books explore the vast variety of animal wings and teeth, from the familiar (e.g., sharks) to more obscure (tuataras). A simple narrative in larger print runs atop the pages while more sophisticated paragraphs are below, potentially broadening the books' appeal. Wings stands out with detailed watercolor and cut-paper collages, while Teeth has more traditional field guide–like illustrations. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these titles: Teeth and Wings[cf1.
Reviewer: Betsy Murray
(3)
K-3
On My Own Science series.
Illustrated by
Phyllis V. Saroff.
In clear and accessible language, this book for independent readers describes efforts to establish a new migrating flock of whooping cranes. The engaging illustrations portray the cranes' natural habitat and scientists' methods of raising chicks. This detailed look at a successful conservation project would be a good choice for endangered species units for younger grades. Reading list, websites. Glos.
Reviewer: Beth L. Meister
(3)
4-6
Biomes of North America series.
Illustrated by
Phyllis V. Saroff.
Readers tour each biome, learning about its vegetation and animal population. In a clear design, the accessible text and many color photographs follow an animal (blue heron, beaver, sea turtle, otter, alligator) in its habitat. Descriptions of the climate and information about other inhabitants are woven into the narrative--an effective tool to demonstrate the interactions among living things. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Biomes of North America titles: A Journey into a Lake, A Journey into a River, A Journey into a Wetland, A Journey into an Estuary, and A Journey into the Ocean.
Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen
(3)
4-6
Biomes of North America series.
Illustrated by
Phyllis V. Saroff.
Readers tour each biome, learning about its vegetation and animal population. In a clear design, the accessible text and many color photographs follow an animal (blue heron, beaver, sea turtle, otter, alligator) in its habitat. Descriptions of the climate and information about other inhabitants are woven into the narrative--an effective tool to demonstrate the interactions among living things. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Biomes of North America titles: A Journey into a Lake, A Journey into a River, A Journey into a Wetland, A Journey into an Estuary, and A Journey into the Ocean.
Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen
(3)
4-6
Biomes of North America series.
Illustrated by
Phyllis V. Saroff.
Readers tour each biome, learning about its vegetation and animal population. In a clear design, the accessible text and many color photographs follow an animal (blue heron, beaver, sea turtle, otter, alligator) in its habitat. Descriptions of the climate and information about other inhabitants are woven into the narrative--an effective tool to demonstrate the interactions among living things. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Biomes of North America titles: A Journey into a Lake, A Journey into a River, A Journey into a Wetland, A Journey into an Estuary, and A Journey into the Ocean.
Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen
(3)
4-6
Biomes of North America series.
Illustrated by
Phyllis V. Saroff.
Readers tour each biome, learning about its vegetation and animal population. In a clear design, the accessible text and many color photographs follow an animal (blue heron, beaver, sea turtle, otter, alligator) in its habitat. Descriptions of the climate and information about other inhabitants are woven into the narrative--an effective tool to demonstrate the interactions among living things. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Biomes of North America titles: A Journey into a Lake, A Journey into a River, A Journey into a Wetland, A Journey into an Estuary, and A Journey into the Ocean.
Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen
(3)
4-6
Biomes of North America series.
Illustrated by
Phyllis V. Saroff.
Readers tour each biome, learning about its vegetation and animal population. In a clear design, the accessible text and many color photographs follow an animal (blue heron, beaver, sea turtle, otter, alligator) in its habitat. Descriptions of the climate and information about other inhabitants are woven into the narrative--an effective tool to demonstrate the interactions among living things. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Biomes of North America titles: A Journey into a Lake, A Journey into a River, A Journey into a Wetland, A Journey into an Estuary, and A Journey into the Ocean.
Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen
(4)
4-6
Biomes of North America series.
Illustrated by
Phyllis V. Saroff.
The plants, animals, and climate of these four biomes are discussed in a text accompanied by attractive color photos and black-and-white spot illustrations. While questions posed to the reader ("Wait--hear that?") are somewhat distracting, the simple design and clearly written, informative text will appeal to readers who enjoy nature. Bib., ind.
Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey
(4)
4-6
Biomes of North America series.
Illustrated by
Phyllis V. Saroff.
The plants, animals, and climate of these four biomes are discussed in a text accompanied by attractive color photos and black-and-white spot illustrations. While questions posed to the reader ("Wait--hear that?") are somewhat distracting, the simple design and clearly written, informative text will appeal to readers who enjoy nature. Bib., ind.
Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey
(4)
4-6
Biomes of North America series.
Illustrated by
Phyllis V. Saroff.
The plants, animals, and climate of these four biomes are discussed in a text accompanied by attractive color photos and black-and-white spot illustrations. While questions posed to the reader ("Wait--hear that?") are somewhat distracting, the simple design and clearly written, informative text will appeal to readers who enjoy nature. Bib., ind.
Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey
(4)
4-6
Biomes of North America series.
Illustrated by
Phyllis V. Saroff.
The plants, animals, and climate of these four biomes are discussed in a text accompanied by attractive color photos and black-and-white spot illustrations. While questions posed to the reader ("Wait--hear that?") are somewhat distracting, the simple design and clearly written, informative text will appeal to readers who enjoy nature. Bib., ind.
Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey
(4)
4-6
Biomes of North America series.
Illustrated by
Phyllis V. Saroff.
With attractive color photos, black-and-white spot illustrations, and a simple design, the plants, animals, and climate throughout the year of these two biomes are discussed. Although the books are clearly written, the pretense of the reader actually being on the tundra or in the forest ("Hear that rustling sound?") is sometimes distracting. Bib., glos., ind.
Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey
(4)
4-6
Biomes of North America series.
Illustrated by
Phyllis V. Saroff.
With attractive color photos, black-and-white spot illustrations, and a simple design, the plants, animals, and climate throughout the year of these two biomes are discussed. Although the books are clearly written, the pretense of the reader actually being on the tundra or in the forest ("Hear that rustling sound?") is sometimes distracting. Bib., glos., ind.
Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey
(4)
K-3
Carolrhoda On My Own Books series.
Illustrated by
Phyllis V. Saroff.
Mary Anning collected and sold fossils for a living in the early nineteenth century. A self-taught paleontologist, she earned a small amount of scholarly respect for her finds (e.g., the first pterosaur found in England), though her work was generally undervalued. Short sentences create a rather wooden narrative around this well-researched information, and the illustrations are accurate but static. Bib.
Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian
17 reviews
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