Product Details
Hardcover
Andrews McMeel Publishing
Published 1996
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8. Wildlife photographer Lanting has collaborated with two nature writers in profiling 13 different creatures, each deemed an "Olympian" in its own environment. Mammals, birds, a reptile, and an amphibian are included in five-to-eight page information-packed chapters. Each one ends on an environmental note, as the authors detail how the species is faring in the wild and what, if any, efforts are underway to protect it. Some entries are to be expected (of course the cheetah represents speed), but there are some pleasant surprises. Elephants represent "play," the archer is a chameleon, and the longest leaper is a "flying frog." Lanting's colorful photos depict each creature displaying its "personal best": wild dogs prowling in the dark, a group of young albatrosses doing "wing-stretching exercises," or a crowd of emperor penguins "marching" over the Antarctic snow. Small colored blocks on the pages highlight bits of information, or display interesting quotes. Quoted individuals are named but there is no indication of who they are, or the context in which the comments were made. An enjoyable browsing book that also delivers solid information about some fascinating creatures.?Ruth S. Vose, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 5^-8. Fabulous color photographs illustrate this well-written account of 15 of the biggest, fastest, and strongest members of the animal kingdom. The authors use the language of sports to highlight the creatures' incredible athletic abilities ("The Cheetah needs to be quick off the mark" and African wild dogs "are the marathon runners of the African plains"). Depending on the particular species, details are provided about physical characteristics, habitat, social organization, hunting... read more |
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