Beavers (Kids Can Press Wildlife Series) - Softcover

Gr 2-4--Two books in a series aimed at introducing young readers to the habitats and lifestyles of various members of the animal kingdom. Each double-page chapter provides general information and boxed insets that give additional facts, e.g., "A beaver family cuts down hundreds of trees a year." The texts are simple enough for newly independent readers to handle with little difficulty. The information is fairly general, but it's sufficient for short reports. Full-page drawings clearly illustrate their subjects. Of the two books, Beavers is slightly more successful, mainly because it focuses on one animal and thus can provide more detail. Deer, on the other hand, is a bit sketchy because it tries to cover several animals, devoting little space to each of them. The "New True" books (Children's) have slightly easier to read texts and photos that are not always as clear as the drawings featured in these books. Serviceable additions.

Arwen Marshall, New York Public Library

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