Nonfiction Monday: Meet the Animal Groups

Meet the Animal Groups
Written by Buffy Silverman
Lerner Publications- Lightning Bolt Books, 2010

Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher

I recently had the opportunity to read three new titles from the Meet the Animal Group series- Do You Know About Mammals?, Do You Know About Amphibians? and Do You Know About Insects?. In simple, easy to understand terms, each title explains the characteristics that make an animal part of a specific animal group. For example, in the mammal title, these animals are described as having hair or fur. You’ll find an elephant’s fur on the tip of his tail! We’re told that baby mammals drink their mother’s milk and that mammals are endotherms who make their own body heat. The books tell us what kinds of food each group likes to eat and in what habitats we might find them. For instance, most amphibians start their lives in the water, but as adults, they are land dwellers.
Besides an engaging text, each book offers bold, exciting photographs. The back matter of each book includes fun facts, matching activities, a glossary of vocabulary terms and a short list of books and websites that can provide the reader with even more information. These books are beautifully made and well-written.

Buffy Silverman loves nature and animals...and it's obvious in her recent picture books, Do You Know About Insects? Do You Know About Mammals? and Do You Know About Amphibians? Just released with Lerner Classroom, these titles can be added to the long list of nonfiction books ranging from early readers to biographies. With more than 30 articles and stories published in magazines, she also enjoys writing fiction. She is currently an instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature and resides in Michigan.

Bio written by Laura Crawford.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up posted at Bookends Blog.