Life-Size Reptiles (Life-Size Series)
In the same spirit as Steve Jenkin's Actual Size (2004) but for an older audience, this large-format picture book brings readers face-to-face with reptiles, depicted in life-size, highly realistic color illustrations, which begin with the bloodied crocodile jaws gracing the cover. A basic introduction to reptiles opens, followed by sections about specific reptile families, from lizards to turtles, covered in spreads that fold out to pack in more information. The facts are clear and up to date; Wilson definitively states that birds are descended from dinosaurs, for example. And the text engages readers with accessible comparisons: "Imagine trying to swallow something three times the size of your head. That is exactly what an egg-eating snake can do." This will draw a wide age range, including early-elementary students, who will enjoy the pictures while listening to the text read aloud. A final section about endangered species mentions the exotic pet trade, a topic rarely covered in youth books. With its high-impact art, this one will be hard for browsers to resist. Engberg, Gillian