Franchino, Vicky. Tigers.

Franchino, Vicky.  Tigers.               Scholastic/Grolier            48p         19.65     978-0-531-26839-1   2013            elem  VG-Bnes    series: Nature's Children    Nonfiction

Elementary students who love tigers will appreciate this new title.  Beautifully illustrated with glossy color photographs and illustrations, students gain a better understanding of these amazing mammals.  The book is organized into five easy-to-comprehend chapters, and readers will become acquainted with and fall head-over-heels in love with these beautiful tigers.  Students learn many different things about the tigers’ physical characteristics, as well as diet, habits, habitats, and where tigers can be found.  Tigers spend much of their time alone, as they do not live in packs or among other tigers, except that they often share their territory with one tiger of the opposite sex.  The author touches upon tiger cubs and how cubs survive in the wild.  Students gain a better understanding of tigers of the past and present.  While there are six types of tigers, all are considered endangered and most of them live in Asia, if they are not captured and living in a zoo. 

The title includes beautiful color photographs, a fact file on tigers, interesting fun fact boxes, words to know, a habitat map, a list of recommended books and web sites, and a comprehensive index.      

Tigers                                                                                                                                                                                         --Charleen Forba-Mayer

 

Franchino, Vicky. Tarantulas.

Franchino, Vicky.  Tarantulas.      Scholastic/Childrens Press    48P $25.00 978-0-531-20908-0        elem        Series: Nature's Children (Scholastic/Childrens Press)

     

This book includes a lot of information written at the elementary-school level, with wonderful full-color photographs that enhance the text.  The book begins by explaining that tarantulas are not insects, but spiders, and explains the difference between the two in detail, for students who are not already knowledgeable.  The physical characteristics of many varieties of tarantulas are described, along with the explanation of why they are venomous ... namely, they have to watch out for so many predators.  There are chapters describing the life cycle, habitats, and future of tarantula species.  In addition, there are chapters that describe several spiders that are close relatives of tarantulas: wolf spiders, scorpions, and spruce-fir moss spiders.

The organization of the book is good, with new terms highlighted in red font and appearing in the glossary, small fact boxes throughout the text, and easy-to-read, attractive font and page layouts.  The map of habitats is helpful, as are the “Find out more” section and the index.                                                                            -- Carol Kennedy