(3) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. From hooves the size of dinner plates to the threat of low-hanging power lines, Parker covers many aspects of a giraffe's life, habitat, and habits in this well-organized introduction to "the world's tallest animal." While the text is thorough enough for the more advanced learner, the basic language and clear photographs make it accessible to less-accomplished readers. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Gerry Ellis. These books introduce basic information about each mammal's physical characteristics, diet, habitat, predators, and interactions with its young and with humans. The text is sometimes vague, as in Deer, in which antler growth and use is described, yet no mention is made of why bucks fight each other to "find out who is stronger." Crisp color photos appear throughout. Glos., ind. Review covers these Early Bird Nature Books titles: Chimpanzees, Cheetahs, and White-Tailed Deer.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. This overview describes some of the general characteristics of the world's 650 different species of leeches, such as habitat, size, color, locomotion, diet (not all leeches are parasitic), and egg-laying habits. Briefly discussed are historic and current medical uses of the leech. Crisp color photos accompany the sometimes rushed text. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. These books introduce basic information about each mammal's physical characteristics, diet, habitat, predators, and interactions with its young and with humans. The text is sometimes vague, as in Deer, in which antler growth and use is described, yet no mention is made of why bucks fight each other to "find out who is stronger." Crisp color photos appear throughout. Glos., ind. Review covers these Early Bird Nature Books titles: Chimpanzees, Cheetahs, and White-Tailed Deer.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by William Munoz. These books introduce basic information about each mammal's physical characteristics, diet, habitat, predators, and interactions with its young and with humans. The text is sometimes vague, as in Deer, in which antler growth and use is described, yet no mention is made of why bucks fight each other to "find out who is stronger." Crisp color photos appear throughout. Glos., ind. Review covers these Early Bird Nature Books titles: Chimpanzees, Cheetahs, and White-Tailed Deer.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Jerry Boucher & Jerry Boucher. Each simply written book dutifully covers its subject's habitat, diet, and parenting method and describes a prominent characteristic of the animal; natural and human-made dangers to the animals are also discussed. Crisp color photos illustrate the books, which begin with a page of words to sleuth for in the text and end with suggestions for adults to enrich a child's experience with the books. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Early Bird Nature Books titles: Raccoons and Gray Wolves.]

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. The text, which details the habitat, life cycle, and diet of the eagle, is organized in a way that won't overwhelm the targeted age group. Spectacular color photos of eagles will help the reader understand why the bird is held in such high esteem. A final section contains tips for adults on incorporating geography and vocabulary lessons into a child's experience of reading this book. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Each simply written book dutifully covers its subject's habitat, diet, and parenting method and describes a prominent characteristic of the animal; natural and human-made dangers to the animals are also discussed. Crisp color photos illustrate the books, which begin with a page of words to sleuth for in the text and end with suggestions for adults to enrich a child's experience with the books. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Early Bird Nature Books titles: Raccoons and Gray Wolves.]

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Similarities and differences among sea horses and other sea creatures are clearly defined, as is the sea horse's habitat, diet, and parenting methods. Terms such as brood pouch and holdfast are explained and illustrated with sharp, close-up color photos. A final section addressed to adults features suggestions for enriching a child's experience of reading this book. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. These two books describe the habitats, unique characteristics, behaviors, and body parts of silkworm moths and octopuses. Both books feature clear color photos and accurate diagrams. While the information is accessible, the text in Silkworm Moths isn't as focused as in other books in this series. A concluding note to adults includes suggested activities and gives tips on how to share the book with children. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Early Bird Nature Books titles: Silkworm Moths and Octopuses.]

Reviewer: Erin Dionne

(3) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by William Muñoz. These two series titles introduce llamas and giant pandas, describing each animal's habitat and unique characteristics. Both volumes include clear, captioned color photos and diagrams. Conservation efforts are addressed in Giant Pandas; Llamas discusses how these animals herd sheep on farms. A note to adults includes suggested activities and gives guidance on sharing the book with a child. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Early Bird Nature Books titles: Llamas and Giant Pandas.]

Reviewer: Erin Dionne

(3) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Keren Su. These two series titles introduce llamas and giant pandas, describing each animal's habitat and unique characteristics. Both volumes include clear, captioned color photos and diagrams. Conservation efforts are addressed in Giant Pandas; Llamas discusses how these animals herd sheep on farms. A note to adults includes suggested activities and gives guidance on sharing the book with a child. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Early Bird Nature Books titles: Llamas and Giant Pandas.]

Reviewer: Erin Dionne

(3) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Norbert Wu. These two books describe the habitats, unique characteristics, behaviors, and body parts of silkworm moths and octopuses. Both books feature clear color photos and accurate diagrams. While the information is accessible, the text in Silkworm Moths isn't as focused as in other books in this series. A concluding note to adults includes suggested activities and gives tips on how to share the book with children. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Early Bird Nature Books titles: Silkworm Moths and Octopuses.]

Reviewer: Erin Dionne

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Richard R. Hewett. In very basic prose (with a few small errors), this book details ostrich facts such as their physical characteristics, diet, family life, and predators. Clear color photos illustrate the text, although the captions sometimes interrupt its flow. The book's focus (including a section at the end for adults on "sharing" the book) is on early biological vocabulary and science concepts. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Gerry Ellis. Introductory information on gorillas describes their physical characteristics, habitat, family structure, and the dangers they face from humans, although the basic text sometimes oversimplifies or contains small errors. Captioned color photos show mountain gorillas in various activities. Questions at the head of each chapter reinforce comprehension, and a section tells adults how to share the book with children. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Simplified writing describes cockroach and firefly bodies, life cycles, habitats, and predators and introduces advanced vocabulary such as maxillas and ootheca. Clear color photos offer close-up views of the insects, while diagrams label the body parts. In each book, a concluding section with activities gives adults tips on how to share the book with children. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by William Muñoz. This book examines the characteristics and social behavior mostly of feral horses, although the color photos and text tend to switch back and forth between feral and domesticated horses. The simplified writing occasionally slips into a condescending tone. A final section with activities gives adults tips on using the book with children, focusing on vocabulary and science concepts. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Simplified writing describes cockroach and firefly bodies, life cycles, habitats, and predators and introduces advanced vocabulary such as maxillas and ootheca. Clear color photos offer close-up views of the insects, while diagrams label the body parts. In each book, a concluding section with activities gives adults tips on how to share the book with children. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Gerry Ellis. Stilted, choppy sentences provide information about these mollusks' locomotion, habitats, eating habits, and enemies. In an unfortunate omission, a chapter devoted to "slug babies" never mentions how adult slugs reproduce. Well-captioned photos of many different kinds of slugs accompany the text. A note to adults is included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Gerry Ellis. Primary readers learn about the behaviors and characteristics of the zebra in a book designed for report writing and classroom use. The information is solid and the photographs are clear, but the presentation is rather dull and the text is somewhat choppy. A habitat map is included, and a note to adults discusses reading with children. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth