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(4)
K-3
Pebble Plus: Meet Desert Animals series.
Beginning readers are superficially introduced to the life and behavior of scorpions, including physical characteristics, habitats, diet, and how they protect themselves from predators. The abbreviated text is enhanced by full-page photographs that will fascinate young naturalists and stimulate discussion about the unusual-looking arachnids. Common Core critical-thinking questions are included. Reading list. Glos., ind.
199 pp.
| Disney-Hyperion
| October, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4847-1323-5$14.99
(3)
4-6
Monstertown Mystery series.
When students and teachers start raving madly then slipping into comas, Benny and Carlos (Mutant Mantis Lunch Ladies!) know that another supernatural evil is afoot at Monterrosa Elementary. With help from Tina and new student Esme, the boys are again thrust into monster-hunting as they confront a scorp-lion infestation. This series continues to be at once spooky and silly in the best possible way.
(4)
K-3
Heinemann Read and Learn: Animal Rivals series.
Thomas compares the title animals' defensive behaviors and attributes in an imaginary fight. Scorpions can inflict a painful sting, but tarantulas are bigger and more aggressive. Points are assigned for size, strength, speed, vemon, fighting skills, and more. A final assessment is made after tallying the scores. In a match-up against Jerry Pallotta's long-running Who Would Win? series, Thomas's less effective series comes in second. Reading list. Glos., ind.
(4)
4-6
Edge Books: Bug Wars series.
Comparing and "rating" two insect species by their physical features, each book in this science-based series imagines the opponents fighting "to the death." The gimmicky text emphasizes such words as threat, attack, and defense, and includes "Fierce Fact" sidebars; magnified photos of insect "weaponry" (pincers, stingers, fangs, and venom) are featured throughout. The "battle" then occurs in cinematic present tense. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Edge Books: Bug Wars titles: Scorpion vs. Centipede and Praying Mantis vs. Giant Hornet.
24 pp.
| Bearport
| September, 2016
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-944102-60-9$23.93
(3)
K-3
Zoo Clues 2 series.
Each page contains a clue and a partial photograph made to look like a puzzle with pieces missing. As new photos are shown and more clues are given, readers try to guess what animal the book is about; the big reveal: emperor scorpion. A clever concept and concise language make this series highly appealing. A fact page and map are appended. Reading list. Ind.
32 pp.
| Amicus High Interest
| July, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60753-788-5$19.95
|
PaperISBN 978-168152-039-1$9.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-60753-887-5
(4)
K-3
Poisonous Animals series.
Each superficial book opens with an attention-grabbing anecdote about the featured animal. Choppily written two-page chapters provide information about physical attributes, diet, defense mechanisms, threats to survival, and relationship to humans. Captioned full-page photos on each spread provide resting points and, when relevant, feature close-ups of physical attributes. Interspersed Q&As provide additional facts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Poisonous Animals titles: Black Widow Spiders, Blue-Ringed Octopuses, Box Jellyfish, and Scorpions.
(4)
K-3
A scorpion convinces a crocodile to give him a ride across the river, and, because it's his nature, stings him halfway across. The crocodile bites back, and the two continue to fight as they sink to the river bottom, where "you can hear them arguing still." Electric blues and greens predominate in a muddled retelling of an often-modified fable.
24 pp.
| Capstone
| August, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4765-2064-3$24.65
(4)
K-3
Pebble Plus: Creepy Crawlers series.
This series focuses on physical appearance, habitat, eating habits, and life cycle. Each book presents its limited information in easy-to-read text with hints of sensationalism ("Bam! Tarantulas use their legs to grab bugs"), while large, glossy color photographs of varying quality, some with well-placed labels, capture the drama. Vocabulary is suited to beginning readers; content is best for insect enthusiasts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Creepy Crawlers titles: Cockroaches, Scorpions, and Tarantulas.
32 pp.
| Boyds
| October, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59078-473-0$16.95
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Meryl Henderson.
Pringle cuts through misconceptions about scorpions with no-nonsense factual information. Scorpion range and habitats, hunting and feeding behaviors, and reproduction are explored. Pringle also provides explanations of scorpion body structures, including the mesmerizing, stinger-tipped tail. Numerous delicate, detailed paintings of scorpions include field guide–like illustrations of single specimens as well as portrayals of the scorpions interacting with other animals. Websites. Bib.
Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2014
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Kelly Murphy.
Eleven-year-old Zagora dreams of being an "intrepid explorer." She gets her chance when her archaeologist father takes her to Morocco in search of his long-lost colleague--and the longer-lost city of Zahir. Indiana Jones–style action and supernatural danger keep the pages turning, and detailed line drawings ably capture quirky character traits and desert beauty in this Nathaniel Fludd: Beastologist read-alike.
48 pp.
| Lerner
| February, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7613-5048-4$29.27
(4)
4-6
Arachnid World series.
Each book in this series introduces readers to the body structure, characteristics, and life cycle of a species of arachnid. Formulaic writing is generally enhanced by diagrams and stock photographs. The books are uniform in layout, design, and organization, making them more serviceable than inspired. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Arachnid World titles: Mites, Tarantulas, Wind Scorpions.
48 pp.
| Lerner
| March, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7613-5037-8$29.27
(3)
4-6
Arachnid World series.
These volumes discuss the title animals' physical characteristics, life cycles, and danger to humans. Markle's clear and detailed narratives, along with instructive close-up photographs of the exterior and interior anatomies of the title arachnids, will fascinate readers and make them instant experts on the creatures. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Arachnid World titles: Black Widows, Harvestmen, Scorpions, and Ticks.
24 pp.
| Bearport
| January, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59716-756-7$21.28
(4)
K-3
No Backbone! The World of Invertebrates series.
This series combines gross-out elements with ecological and scientific details. The crisp close-up photographs are large and well captioned, with overall layout consistent throughout the series. The facts provided, though informative, seem randomly chosen, repetitive, and/or too vague at times. Some text is repeated among books. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these No Backbone! The World of Invertebrates titles: Leggy Centipedes, Stinging Scorpions, Wiggly Earthworms, Bloodsucking Leeches, Roly-Poly Pillbugs, and Creeping Land Snails.
(3)
4-6
Animals Head to Head series.
Color photographs, unobtrusive cartoons, and short "rounds" describe the predatory skills of these two animals, tallying points for size, camouflage, hunting abilities, and sensory acuity to determine a "winner." The competitive setup and the author's eye for all things scary and gross keep things lively; information about endangered species status ("The Real Fight") adds perspective. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Putnam
| May, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-399-22922-1$$15.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Steve Johnson
&
Lou Fancher.
This original tale about a boy repaid for his kindness to a rattlesnake and a scorpion employs familiar folkloric motifs. Patterned after American Indian art, the illustrations feature the deep earth tones of the Southwestern desert. The narrative tone is succinct and direct, with touches of humor and occasional rhetorical flourishes, all of which make this a good candidate for the storyteller's repertoire.
Reviewer: Nancy Vasilakis
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 1999
15 reviews
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