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FIREFLY ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ANIMALS

Name: FIREFLY ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ANIMALS
Author: Camilla de la Bédoyère
ISBN: 978-1-77085-457-4

edited by Camilla de la Bédoyère ; Philip Whitfield ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 1, 2014

For browsers and researchers alike, this is a useful and inviting display—and a bargain.

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From echidnas to paddle worms, this broad guide to the animal kingdom introduces more than 700 animals, organized in groups, illustrated with detailed watercolors and photographs, and presented in conjunction with features on particular types of animals and general animal behavior.

Each of six chapters opens with a striking double-page photograph of an iconic member of the broad group followed by another spread of general information answering the question, “What is a…?” (mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, or invertebrate). Each section includes numerous specific examples, organized again in groups such as “hoofed mammals,” “seahorses, stonefish, and relatives,” “spiders and scorpions.” The entries come from all over the world; some are common and others rare, but all are interesting in some way. Each creature is presented with its common and Latin names, an image, a descriptive paragraph, and a card noting size, general range and habitat. These entries are arranged unevenly on a faintly lined page topped with guide words. The design sometimes makes it harder to connect the image with the explanation but is far more attractive and appealing than that of a traditional encyclopedia. There are few glaring inaccuracies (elk and moose are not the same) but only occasional use of European rather than North American names (divers for loons). The Firefly Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals publishes simultaneously.

For browsers and researchers alike, this is a useful and inviting display—and a bargain. (index) (Nonfiction. 8-14)

Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-77085-457-4

Page Count: 256

Publisher: Firefly

Review Posted Online: Nov. 3, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
MY FIRST GUIDE TO SPACE
by Camilla de la Bédoyère ; illustrated by Aaron Cushley

- BOOK REVIEW
BIRDS EVERYWHERE
by Camilla de la Bédoyère ; illustrated by Britta Teckentrup

- BOOK REVIEW
HAZARDOUS HABITATS & ENDANGERED ANIMALS
by Camilla de la Bédoyère

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AMAZING RIVERS

100+ WATERWAYS THAT WILL BOGGLE YOUR MIND

From the Our Amazing World series

by Julie Vosburgh Agnone ; illustrated by Kerry Hyndman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 3, 2021

An intriguing package for curious readers that both celebrates and informs.

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Fascinating facts about rivers.

In the vein of the publisher’s Amazing Islands, by Sabrina Weiss and also illustrated by Hyndman (2020), this volume describes freshwater waterways around the world. Opening with a page of general definition, Agnone and Hyndman go on to use more than 100 examples of rivers from around the world to explain topics such as source and flow, what and who can be found in and around rivers, how they’re used, how they’ve been spanned or channeled, threats, and gems, ores, and other treasures. There are plentiful examples of wildlife, human activities, and natural wonders, including caves, waterfalls, ice pancakes—even a river that reverses its flow seasonally. The Colorado, Tigris and Euphrates, Amazon, Yangtze, and Li rivers get chapters of their own. Each big subject is addressed in short, titled paragraphs set on colorful, stylized illustrations on a double-page spread. The layouts are varied, with close-ups and vignettes as well as maps and broad river scenes. There is interesting use of shadow and texture. The people shown are racially diverse. At the center of the book, a foldout map of the continents of the world shows all the rivers described. Sadly, the index doesn’t include them all. The text may be challenging for some readers, but the presentation has plenty of browser appeal. There’s an extensive list of sources, all available on the internet.

An intriguing package for curious readers that both celebrates and informs. (Nonfiction. 8-11)

Pub Date: Aug. 3, 2021

ISBN: 978-1-912920-26-6

Page Count: 64

Publisher: What on Earth!

Review Posted Online: June 1, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2021

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

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DOLPHINS

WHAT THEY CAN TEACH US

by Mary M. Cerullo ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1999

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An enchanting book about the latest research on dolphins, and how people benefit from the new information. Cerullo (The Octopus, 1997, etc.) spent a week at the Dolphin Research Center in Florida, and learned that dolphins “deserved their reputation for friendliness, playfulness, complex social behavior, and group loyalty.” The US Navy studies dolphins to learn about hydrodynamics, echolocation, and deep-diving ability “in order to apply these principles to the design of Navy ships and submarines.” Readers will be fascinated by the descriptions of how dolphins “see” through sonar, and by one of the most interesting roles for dolphins, in therapy programs with children who are coping with cancer, disabilities, or depression. With beautiful full-color photographs, the presentation is appealing and incisive. (glossary, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 9-12)