Rattlesnake Rules
We all have rules to live by, but not all of them are written down. Sometimes you learn by example and this is probably most evident in the animal world. If you pay close attention you'll learn all about the rattlesnake and what their Mama tells them. She shakes her rattle and calls to her young to gather round to teach them some very important life lessons. Four little rattlers slither and slide down the rocks to listen to her lessons. Of course one of the first things she told them was that rattlers are beautiful. She described the shape of their heads and told them that they had great vision. Not all rattlesnakes look alike, but she did say they all have "fangs and venom" and think mice make for great snacks. Hsssssss! Mmmmm! "Mama taught them rules for hunting. She showed them how to play. She taught her babies rules for eating To help them survive each day. 'Rattlers hunt both night and day,' she said. 'Cool days, warm nights are best. But when the weather gets really cold, We coil in our dens to rest.'" When she was teaching them how to hunt they squiggled and squirmed as they practiced attacking some fake mice. AND they used blindfolds and only used their pits to detect the heat of those mice. Those mouths were opened so wide they looked like they were yawning. There were so many things to learn if they were to survive. One of the critical things they had to learn was how to use their rattles to warn other creatures to stay away from them. ZZZZZZZZZ! Do you think you'd start walking or running away if you heard that sound when you were out walking? This is a very well done story in rhyme about the life of the rattlesnake. The book relays a lot of information in a storybook format that makes it very easy for the young reader to learn without trying. Reluctant readers usually gravitate toward vibrant material like this because it is easier to absorb and get to the end without getting stuck on the first couple of pages. The artwork compliments this work perfectly with its bright colors and fun, animated rattlers. In the back of the book are factual sections about rattlesnakes and some suggested curriculum-based activities. Quill says: This book would be a zzzzzzz perfect book to read and discuss in the homeschool or classroom setting!(Feathered Quill Book Reviews)Have you ever seen a rattlesnake? Have you ever heard one rattle? Rattlesnakes have gotten a bad reputation over the years, mostly because they are misunderstood. Yes, they do pose a hazard to people, but they are part of God's creation and serve a useful purpose, part of which is eating rats and mice which can carry diseases harmful to humans. Author Conrad J. Storad, a long time resident of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, helps children learn more about these fascinating creatures by presenting in poetic form what a mother rattlesnake might tell her young ones about rules for hunting, eating, and warning, and also rules for humans to keep safe. The eye-catching illustrations by Nathaniel P. Jensen, which remind me of Disney snakes like Kaa of The Jungle Book and Sir Hiss of Robin Hood, help to bring the book alive. Can you guess what a rattlesnake uses its forked tongue for? Storad, a journalist, has long been fascinated by the diversity of plants and animals that live in the desert. Among his previous 32 science and nature books are Meerkats, the Arizona Book Publishing Association's "Arizona Best Book of 2008;" Don't Call Me a Pig! (A Javelina Story); Desert Night Shift (A Pack Rat Story); Lizards for Lunch (A Roadrunner's Story); and Don't Ever Cross That Road (An Armadillo Story). The back of Rattlesnake Rules contains several pages of "Rattlesnake Fast Facts," "Rattlesnake Fun Facts," "Rattlesnake Mysteries," "Rattlesnake Myths Vs. Facts," "Words to Learn," and a useful "Rattlesnake Rules Curriculum Guide" provided by librarian and teacher Jean Kilker with suggested activities that will help parents and teachers reinforce the material in the book. This is a really neat and fun book that should prove to be a good resource in children's science reading. Some parents will want to know that there is one reference which says, "Scientists think that the snake's rattle evolved as a warning device."(Home School Book Review)For years, rattlesnakes have been a symbol of fear and terror - and if you ever listened to one rattle, you'd understand why. Despite the widespread panic that they continue to inspire, though, there is much about rattlesnakes that people fail to realize make them sympathetic, relatively harmless creatures - and, as with all things, if we only took the time to learn more about them, our fear of them would likely disappear. Throughout the pages of Rattlesnakes Rules, author Conrad Storad presents the reader with a wealth of eye-opening information about one of nature's most feared - and misunderstood - creations. Covering everything from how they eat to how they behave to why they have rattles, Rattlesnake Rules offers a lesser-known side of the scaly reptiles that helps reflect them in a new, quite unexpected light. Furthermore, Storad tackles many of the myths and legends that persist about rattlesnakes, including why pulling out their fangs won't make them any less dangerous to you. Brought to bright, vivid life by the wonderful illustrations of Nathaniel Jensen, Rattlesnake Rules is an equally informative and entertaining reading treat. Fun for readers of all ages. \(Rhonda CarverApex Reviews)