ANIMALS EAT THE WEIRDEST THINGS

by Diane Swanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 1998

A people's-eye-view of the strange and unusual eating habits found in the animal kingdom; children will be drawn to the disgusting realm of meals made of spit, vomit, cigarettes, skin, and dandruff, just to name of few. Swanson is not subtle; among the chapter headings are ""Ooze, Vomit and Dung,"" ""Blood, Skin, and Cast-Off Parts,"" ""Rotting Flesh and Bones."" Common and little-known facts burst forth; vampire bats suck blood, the hawfinch dines on cherry pits, puffins eat whale dung, and porcupines munch sweaty wood. The chapters are clearly organized topically, but a dearth of subheadings and a profusion of sidebars makes for intimidating spreads. One creature per spread is singled out for illustration, so many animals may be mentioned--e.g., the lammergeier, the Lapland longspur--but not fully identified. The author's meticulous research is evident here; despite the poor layout and arrangement of text, children will ""eat up"" the gross-me-out notions and digest good scientific information.

Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1998

ISBN: 1551108097

Page Count: 64

Publisher: Henry Holt

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1998

Categories: CHILDREN'S