You Can't Use Your Brain if You're a Jellyfish
Grade 3-5–Starting with a mention of organisms that have no brains (jellyfish), Ehrlich moves on to consider animals with simple brains (worms, mosquitoes) that use instinct to guide them. Bigger animals with more complex cerebral activity–and what that means–are also discussed. The author then explains how humans are capable of learning, thinking, pondering, feeling, and guiding, thus making our brains the best. (He points out that all animals have a brain that is just perfect for them and their environments.) The lengthy text alternates with amusing verses, e.g., Animal brains/Have different shapes,/From little to big,/From bugs to apes. Haley's cartoon caricatures contribute to the humor. The book has a glossary, but it lacks a pronunciation guide. (How many readers are going to be able to sound out electroencephalographs or helminthologist?) The book is not detailed enough for research purposes, yet it is too advanced for youngsters without some background.–Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TXCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.