Usually, each page deals with a single example of an adaptation. The hook is one or more colour illustrations, usually photographs, which visually show the adaptation "in action." Accompanying the illustration is a single sentence caption printed in red. Wanting to know more, the reader can then turn to the page or so of text in black ink which describes in more detail how the adaptation contributes to creature's survival. Consequently, a photo of a big pink fish, showing a much smaller pink fish seemingly biting the larger fish, has a caption which reads: "A tiny male anglerfish can be seen attached to the tail end of his female mate." Wanting to know why or how this happening occurs, the reader can turn to the longer text and discover that the male angler fish attaches itself to a female soon after it hatches and becomes, in effect, a parasite, nourished by the female's blood. "Because he no longer needs them, his eyes and digestive tract break down or degenerate....The male anglerfish doesn't need to look attractive to a female. He finds his mate and latches on. Then he has only one job: to produce sperm." At the book's conclusion, a "Glossary" defines those words which were printed in italics in the text while 13 "Selected Readings" appear to be more teacher/parent than child oriented in their content.

Kids who love to collect facts, especially the unusual and the gross, will relish the juicy contents of Exploding Ants.

Highly Recommended.