The Kids' Natural History Book: Making Dinos, Fossils, Mummies & Zulu Huts (Williamson Kids Can!)
Gr 1-4-This idea-packed book focuses on animal life on Earth during the last 570 million years (the Cambrian period to the present), covering sea creatures, insects, dinosaurs, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. In the first chapter, Press provides an introduction to how natural history is studied and explains basic vocabulary. Difficult concepts are simplified through the use of familiar examples. In one instance, directions for sorting buttons or other objects lead into a clear explanation of the animal classification scheme. The author uses a similar technique to move from a child's personal time line to a description of geologic time, complete with a rap song. Simple craft techniques (with appropriate safety warnings), such as making a climbing spider out of cardboard and pipe cleaners, are applied to learning facts about animals. Helpful sidebars include "Eco-Alerts" that discuss endangered species or taking care of the environment and "Curator's Notes" that define terms in a succinct manner. Satisfying black-and-white drawings supplement the activities and information. A list of museums along with their Web sites is appended. A worthwhile addition to natural-history sections.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VACopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.