 Welcome to the World of Otters. Diane Swanson.
Subject Heading:
Grades 2 and up / Ages 7 and up.
*** /4
|
 Welcome to the World of Bears. Diane Swanson.
Subject Heading:
Grades 2 and up / Ages 7 and up.
*** /4
|
excerpt:
"HOME IS WHERE THE TREES ARE - for most black bears and many grizzlies. But polar bears live on treeless sea coasts, islands and ice." Welcome to the World of Bears."OODLES OF ENERGY BUNDLED IN FUR. That's what otters are. Although they swim and hunt for food each day, they have plenty of pep left for play." Welcome to the World of Otters.
Diane Swanson specializes in nature writing for children.
Welcome to the World of Bears and Welcome to the World of
Otters join her two previous series titles which dealt with
wolves and whales. Swanson provides young readers with factual
information about these amazing animals in a style that is both
interesting and appealing. The accompanying captioned
photographs provide further visual information.
The books share a common format. The table of contents lists seven similarly named chapters and an index. Every even-numbered page contains either a full or half-page coloured photograph. Each chapter also contains a teal blue text box with some unusual information under catchy headings such as "Toothy Tales" and "News Worth Smelling." The text font is large and easy to read with bold font being used for the captions. Chapters are four pages in length and provide information on the animal itself, its location and habitat, food, form of communication, babies and the young. In Welcome to the World of Bears, three types of bears are discussed: black bears, grizzlies and polar bears. Welcome to the World of Otters provides information on both river and sea otters.
Young readers will find both books equally appealing. The excellent photography captures a wealth of information about the topics discussed in the text. The bold font of the accompanying captions helps readers identify further information in the pictures. The text is written in a style which will hold children's interest and which connects with children's previous knowledge. For example, instead of simply listing the speed at which a grizzly can travel, Swanson states, "Grizzlies can run faster than cars are allowed to travel in towns." This approach enables young readers to obtain new information in a more applicable context. The added and, at times, unusual information included in the teal blue boxes adds further interest.
The brevity of the chapters, the spacing of the text and the vocabulary level enable both young readers and struggling older readers to obtain factual information on these animals with ease.
In summary, both of these titles are enjoyable, interesting information resources which will appeal to readers of varying ages and reading abilities.
Recommended.
Janice Foster is a teacher-librarian at Oakenwald Elementary School in Fort Garry School Division, Winnipeg, MB.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © 1997 the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - October 31, 1997.
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