Who Are You Calling A Woolly Mammoth (America's Funny But True History)
Grade 4-6-A woolly mammoth (with earmuffs and neck warmer on the  front cover and a red velvet bow on its tail on the back) sets  the tone for this book. Levy surrounds readers with jokes,  asides, and lively banter while presenting a chronological and  systematic account of the evolution of prehistoric life from 250  million to 6 million years ago. A glib cockroach guides readers  through a clear explanation of the split of the continent  Pangaea, of the development of dinosaurs from the diminutive  size of a chicken to that of a six-story building, and of the  extinction of prehistoric creatures. Then, starting 65 million  years ago, the author explains how the atmosphere and sun began  to influence a change in North America, making it a rain forest.  In this environment, mammalian life evolved and the continents  continued to move. Levy explains why the rain forests receded  and the woolly mammoth and nine other mammals flourished during  this cold period, the ice age. The last section describes  evolution of humans to 6000 years ago when the larger ice-age  mammals became extinct. Wound around these explanations are  slapstick line drawings that are on an even par with continual  wisecracks in the text. This overview will satiate the high  interest many young people have about prehistoric times and will  appeal to reluctant readers.Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public  Libraries, Aptos, CACopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.