Reviews
The books in this series provide information on adaptations that go beyond mere camouflage. These primary leveled readers can be a valuable resource to teach life science concepts. Each of the eight books in the series highlights a different ecosystem and the animals adapted to thrive in it. Because all the books in the series use the same format, navigating them is easy. Hiding in the Polar Regions begins with a simple description: "Polar regions are cold, icy places." There is a world map designating their locations. Then, the text and photo depicts adaptations of animals consistent with teaching science to young children. Students are shown how camouflage helps an animal to survive in the Arctic and Antarctica. The orca whale, for instance, can barely be seen in an aerial view because its black back blends in with the dark ocean bottom. Alternatively, the whale's white belly looks like sunlight to a predator swimming below. Several animals grow white coverings in the winter for hiding in the snow only to turn brown in the spring for color protection. Trying to find the polar bear in the snow is a challenge, because only its black nose is visible. This book does not substitute for taking young learners outside into their local environment to look for adaptations of animals and plants. It does, however, open the door to understanding that animals all over the world must adapt to survive in their ecosystems. Strategies are given for helping young students read and understand the book and will help primary teachers. Each page has one to three sentences in large, black print that is appropriate for primary students. There is a contrasting explanation box overlapping each photo. Page numbers are highly visible, which is useful when reading to groups of students. Science terms that may challenge a student's reading level are accompanied by phonetic spellings. Highlighted glossary terms are limited, which will help younger students focus on those that are relevant. Camouflaged animals are expertly hidden in photos and uniquely revealed. An identical photo is on the next page depicting the animal against a contrasting gray-and-white background. This will help even the youngest students to distinguish the physical characteristics of the animal. Giving students enough time to examine the photographs may tempt them to turn the page to find the animal revealed. Each book in this series explains one unique ecosystem and highlights animals that have adapted to that environment. The entire series helps students to understand the importance of adaptation to survival in diverse ecosystems. http://www.nsta.org/recommends/ViewProduct.aspx?ProductID=20317, Using a bit of photo-magic to help viewers understand how camouflage works, each volume features eight paired views of an animal-one in saturated but close to natural color, the other (seen with a turn of the page) showing it as before but with all the surrounding vegetation or ground converted to neutral shades. The trick doesn't work well in some of the shots in Polar Regions (snow is snow, after all), and many the photos are so close-up that the animals aren't all that hidden-but it's still a neat idea. Sandwiched between introductory capsule descriptions of each habitat and the adaptations that natural residents have made, and closing spreads on wildlife with coloration that's intended to stand out rather than conceal, the picture galleries provide unusual support for a range of natural-science interests. -John Peters, formerly at New York Public Library School Library Journal November 2010, Camouflage and habitats are seen in a different and exciting way through this new series. Each book has large font and minimal text with a large color photograph on each page. The series' unique perspective uses photographs of an animal in hiding. The next page then shows the same picture with the camouflaged animal highlighted so the reader can see it. Each title also covers several animals that stand out instead of needing to blend in with their surroundings. Younger students will love these books, not only for the interesting facts and the way they are presented, but for the "I-Spy-like" photographs. These books are a fun way to learn about the creatures who use camouflage to survive; perfect for animal projects and the study of animal habitats. A simple contents page make this a winner for an introductory lesson for younger students. Glossary. Index. - Maureen Mooney, Library Media Specialist, Caroline St. School, Saratoga Springs, New York Library Media Connection January/February 2011
