Get ready for Megalodon, the big-tooth, prehistoric shark that grew longer than a school bus, and downed horse-size animals in a single gulp. A good thing it became extinct about two million years ago. The author of many science titles for children will have no trouble finding an audience for this crowd-pleaser. The dramatic text embellishes what little is known about the shark from fossil remains, and then extrapolates from living relatives like the Great White Shark to tell the rest of the story. Scientists have found some vertebra as well as numerous enormous teeth, and based on these findings have constructed models of Megalodon. Since soft parts and most cartilage decay without becoming fossilized, much of the reconstruction is speculation. Topics are discussed in two-page displays, for example: Ancient and Modern Sharks, Megalodon's World, Inside Megalodon, A Megalodon Skeleton, Lost Teeth, Replaceable Teeth, and Megalodon Babies. Discussing babies seems a gigantic reach, given how little evidence exists. Throughout, the teeth are a big part of the story. Sharks have more than a thousand teeth, and “They pop up into place as if they were on a conveyer belt. No matter how many teeth a shark loses, it is always prepared for its next meal.” The illustrator paints a toothy monster, which stretches from front to back cover, making him appropriately fearsome. Gleaming-white, saw-edged teeth stand out against the pink jaws and blue-gray watery world. Inside there are several impressive close-up views of the cavernous mouth and enormous teeth. Often the shark swims straight at the viewer for maximum impact. While the illustrations of people studying fossils are somewhat wooden, the artist seems comfortable with portraying the underwater world of ancient giants. Good stuff. (index) (Nonfiction. 7-10)
Pub Date: Aug. 21, 2000
ISBN: 0-395-91419-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2000
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A vibrant and delightful picture book about a little white cat who sees all sorts of other animals in pairs, who are obviously happy to be so paired off. But the cat is alone and “unlike the rest. Unlucky, alone.” He finds himself in a rose garden where there are roses, the sea, flowers, birds and bees (“fliers”), trees, the sky, grass, and all manner of nature’s beauty. He sees another cat and feels so happy as they run through the roses together (“Not alone now”). This is an upbeat book about the happiness a soul mate can bring—a little more emotional than Yo? Yes! but just as exuberant. The divine illustrations reflect the pleasure and joy of companionship, no matter where it’s found. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7894-2564-5
Page Count: 38
Publisher: DK Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1999
Seymour (Our Neighbor Is a Strange, Strange Man, p. 71, etc.) tells an enchanting story about a battle of wills between Farmer Puckett’s wife and Jake Johnson, the new mule that Farmer Puckett bought to pull his wagon of fireworks to the town’s Independence Day social. “Trouble was, when Jake Johnson got to Farmer Puckett’s yard, the mule liked the place so much he sat down. And he would not get up.” Mrs. Puckett declares that the mule will move if he gets hungry enough, but she’s wrong; a month later, as the Fourth of July approaches, Farmer Puckett is getting nervous, knowing that no one in town will ask him to hire the fireworks again if he fails this time. A fire under the mule forces Jake Johnson to move just a little, leaving the fireworks over the flame, and resulting in the best display the town has ever seen. It’s a mischievous tale, if readers can get past the mistreatment of animal, humans, and property that is part of most scenes. Take it as a tall tale, and watch the fireworks fly. (Picture book. 6-9)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7894-2563-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: DK Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
