A decent overview that’s more approachable than a textbook.
A basic introduction to the properties and measurement of sound.
A short-haired, brown-skinned child and a dog with a bandanna around its neck serve as cheerful guides through informal informational text and textured, cartoon illustrations. Everyday scenes, like a busy city street, appear alongside more fanciful ones, like a dog-versus-child drag race. Descriptions of various sounds lead into explanations of sound’s forms and functions as well as related facts about animals (for example, bats use echolocation) and prompts for experiments that readers can do on their own (like feeling for vibrations in your neck when you hum). Concentric circles and repeated curves help readers spot sound waves in every situation. The content is broader than it is deep: While it doesn’t contain a complete physical description of a pressure wave, for instance, it does have a simple basic explanation of how sounds travel from the world into our brains. It doesn’t diagram human inner ear bones, either, but it does feature a nifty graph of the hearing ranges of 12 different animals. One notable misstep is the spread about decibels, which fails to communicate that this measure of sound’s power doesn’t increase in linear fashion; 20 dB is not 10 plus louder than 10 dB, but 10 times louder. That’s pretty important for readers trying to follow the recommendation “To keep your ears safe, stay away from really loud noise”! (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A decent overview that’s more approachable than a textbook. (activity, glossary) (Informational picture book. 5-10)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5253-0250-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2021
A pleasing introduction to the worlds of science and animal behavior that captures the wonder and mystery of dogs.
Why do dogs do the things they do?
Presented in a Q&A format and illustrated primarily with stock photographs, this colorful selection presents a fact-filled overview of the beloved species by answering such child-friendly questions as, “Why are puppies born with closed eyes?” “Do dogs have feelings?” “How do dogs communicate?” “Do dogs sweat?” “Why do dogs smell butts?” “How do dogs help people?” “How can I help?” (Spaying, neutering, and adoption are also briefly mentioned.) Text boxes provide straightforward and satisfying answers to each question posed while sidebars include interesting, associated detail in thought bubbles accompanied by Oliver’s small paintings or more stock photos. The appealing, accessible, websitelike design makes this a good choice for classroom or personal research. While the information itself is widely available, the presentation here is solid and effective; the tone is humorous and full of enthusiasm; the accessible design and language will appeal to reluctant readers; the Q&A format may lead children to inquire further; and the plethora of photographs will delight anyone who is canine curious. Includes a comparison of different breeds, how to behave around dogs, and how to make a dog toy, as well as a helpful glossary. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A pleasing introduction to the worlds of science and animal behavior that captures the wonder and mystery of dogs. (Informational picture book. 5-10)Pub Date: June 30, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-4788-7380-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Reycraft Books
Review Posted Online: May 4, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2021
A refreshing dive past some of our world’s marine wonders.
Denizens of the deep crowd oversized pages in this populous gallery of ocean life.
The finny and tentacled sea creatures drifting or arrowing through Zommer’s teeming watercolor seascapes are generally recognizable, and they are livened rather than distorted by the artist’s tendency to place human eyes on the same side of many faces, Picasso-like. Headers such as “Ink-teresting” or “In for the krill” likewise add a playful tone to the pithy comments on anatomical features or behavioral quirks that accompany the figures (which include, though rarely, a white human diver). The topical spreads begin with an overview of ocean families (“Some are hairy, some have scales, some have fins and some are boneless and brainless!”), go on to introduce select animals in no particular order from sea horses and dragonets to penguins and pufferfish, then close with cautionary remarks on chemical pollution and floating plastic. The author invites readers as they go to find both answers to such questions as “Why does a crab run sideways?” and also a small sardine hidden in some, but not all, of the pictures. For the latter he provides a visual key at the end, followed by a basic glossary.
A refreshing dive past some of our world’s marine wonders. (index) (Informational picture book. 6-9)Pub Date: June 5, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-500-65119-3
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Review Posted Online: April 24, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2018
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