Hunting (Outdoor Adventure!)
Books for young children about hunting are scarce, despite the pursuit’s popularity in many parts of the U.S. This overview fills the gap, presenting information for readers curious about hunting rather than targeting those wanting specifics about how minors can become involved in this highly regulated sport. Each double-page spread offers several paragraphs of text, with material about hunters’ varied motivations; hunting safety and tools; and the sport’s history and codes of conduct. Klein assumes an audience with enthusiastic views of hunting, focusing his ethics discussion on problems such as poaching, and the book’s color photos emphasize the great outdoors and minimize shots of dead animals. More scrupulous editing and a less busy design would have improved this entry in the Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure! series, which includes a glossary and directions to the publisher’s Web site for related hyperlinks; but children anticipating joining elders in hunting expeditions will appreciate the book’s broad scope and positive tone. Grades 2-4. --Jennifer Mattson