Sparrow, Eagle, Penguin, and Seagull

November 1, 2012

Gr 1-3-Those CATegorical felines are back. This time they turn their attention to the characteristics of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects, and fish. The energetic rhyming text and zany cartoon illustrations will captivate students and make it fun to learn about what makes each group distinctive. Goneau's cartoon creatures nicely complement the facts that Cleary imparts in his rhythmic narrative, and in several cases, labels are included in the illustrations to reinforce a point. Each volume concludes with two pages summarizing the key characteristics of the animal class under discussion. Solid additions to the series.

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2012
Grades K-3 In clever, if sometimes strained rhyme Every type of bird breathes air. / They all have just two legs. / Their forearms are their wings, and baby birds are born from eggs Cleary nests a clutch of simple facts. There's info about types of birds, distinctive avian physical features, and the multiple functions of feathers, all illustrated in broadly comical cartoon scenes: a museum exhibit on bird anatomy; views of a pigeon with a roll of toilet paper under one wing, perched atop a park statue; and a peacock flirting with hens in a bar. Cleary caps this entry in the Animal Groups Are CATegorical series with a summary review, and he invites readers to visit his website for additional science quizzes and games (the publisher also offers a downloadable teacher's guide, though registration is required). Funny, factual, and at times even a little edgy, this offers the unconventional for younger children trying to understand the animal world.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2013
This book gives a light, rhyming overview of the defining features of birds and examples of different species. Packing scientific facts into frantic verse results in some awkward lines; fortunately, the last spread's bulleted summary provides a short, clear recap. Colorful cartoon illustrations of goofy-looking birds are busy, but they occasionally sneak in very basic diagrams or labels to aid comprehension.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)