What is Migration? (The Science of Living Things). John Crossingham and Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2002. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $7.16 (pbk.), $19.16 (cl.). ISBN 0-86505-965-9 (pbk.), ISBN 0-86505-988-8 (cl.). Subject Heading: Animal Migration-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-5 / Ages 8-10. Review by Harriet Zaidman. **** /4
	What is Hibernation? (The Science of Living Things). John Crossingham and Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2002. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $7.16 (pbk.), $19.16 (cl.). ISBN 0-86505-964-0 (pbk.), ISBN 0-86505-987-X (cl.). Subject Heading: Hibernation-Juvenile literature. Animals-Hibernation-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-5 / Ages 8-10. Review by Harriet Zaidman. **** /4
	What is an Elephant? (The Science of Living Things). John Crossingham and Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2002. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $7.16 (pbk.), $19.16 (cl.). ISBN 0-86505-966-7 (pbk.), ISBN 0-86505-989-6 (cl.). Subject Heading: Elephants-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-5 / Ages 8-10. Review by Harriet Zaidman. **** /4

exerpt:

True or not?
Small animals such as dormice, shown left, and Arctic ground squirrels, are true hibernators. True hibernators sleep for several months. During this time, their body temperature drops to just above freezing. Some larger animals, such as raccoons and bears, spend much of the winter sleeping, but they wake up often. Their bodies stay much warmer than those of true hibernators.
(What is hibernation?)

As more books about specific topics in science are written, they are more in demand. And because the newer books are bright, colourful and laid out according to current tastes, older books that generalize about science and that are text-heavy sit on the shelves. Bobbie Kalman has produced another series of nonfiction books aimed at young learners. The three titles reviewed here form part of a series of 27 books about specific topics concerning animals, plants, animal habits and the natural world. They are informative and interesting to look at and use vocabulary and a writing style appropriate to the target audience. The layout of the books is conducive to teaching research skills. The table of contents provides self-explanatory topics, such as "Eels on the move" and "Migrating monarchs" (What is Migration). New scientific words are printed in bold face throughout the text and are explained in a glossary at the end of the book. Below that is an index. The explanations of each topic are concise but informative and are sure to hold the interest of an inquisitive child. The accompanying variety of photographs and drawings, along with subtle borders and decorative graphics, draw the eye to the page rather than create confusion as happens in some of the newer non-fiction books. The bright and and interesting pictures on the front of these hardcover books will appeal to children and make them want to open the cover. Once there, they'll become informed readers.

Highly Recommended.

Harriet Zaidman is a teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © 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

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