Habitat Spy

July 1, 2011

Gr 2-3-A simple rhyming text encapsulated in binoculars-shaped "boxes" uses an "I Spy" approach to introduce a number of different habitats. The deciduous forest entry, for example, speaks of hemlocks, millipedes, owls, and deer, leaving adults the chore of naming the rest-wood thrush, wild turkey, porcupine, blue jay, black bear, red fox, striped skunk, and hairy or downy woodpecker. This is fine for the knowledgeable, but a bit tougher with critters like limpkins, bat stars, California quail, and marmots. No pictorial key is provided. The rhymes are occasionally forced: Do bees "bump" or muskrats "snick"? The book includes a number of activities designed for the classroom, the home school, or summer camp-a true/false quiz, a food-chain diagram, and a set of questions on habitats. In spite of the colorful and large illustrations, this book is additional at best.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2012
"Let's spy in the backyard... / maples stretch, / bumblebees bump..." This simple introduction to habitats features over a dozen, including swamp, desert, mountain, and ocean. Bright realistic illustrations are accessible and engaging. The brief rhyming text is sometimes clever ("otters flip") and sometimes forced ("deer stride"); overall there's not much information imparted. Back matter delves deeper and suggests activities.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)