OUTSIDE AND INSIDE RATS AND MICE

While readers may not share the author’s enthusiasm for her subject, they will nevertheless be captivated by her clear and detailed discussion of rats and mice inside and out. Markle uses photographs and brief text to examine some of the 300 different kinds of rats and their smaller relatives, mice. Close-ups show the continuously growing front teeth, able to gnaw through plastic, wood, and wire; the thumb-like toe on the front paw, which enables mice to pick up food; sturdy toenails, for climbing; and the nearly naked tail, which helps the rat cool down when it’s hot. An X-ray shows the many-boned internal skeleton that gives the rat flexibility, whiskers to help when wiggling through tight spaces, and eyes and ears placed for maximum information-gathering. There are also photographs of internal organs showing heart, lungs, stomach, intestine, and more. Many photographs show the development of baby rats and mice and some show rat behavior. The author concludes with a glossary/index, questions to answer while using the text, and picture sources. A fine addition to the outstanding “Outside and Inside” series. (Nonfiction. 8-10)