Snakes

by Gail Gibbons

Overview

There are about 3,000 kinds of snakes. Here is information about the different functions of these cold-blooded animals' physical characteristics. One also learns how they live, how they give birth (most lay eggs, some give birth to live babies), and how they eat (they swallow their prey whole, sometimes while it is still alive). Knowing about snakes, from the most ordinary garden variety to the most exotic constrictors and poisonous snakes, is to admire and respect these extraordinary reptiles.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823423002
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	06/01/2010
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.60(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	IG820L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Gail Gibbons "has taught more preschoolers and early readers about the world than any other children's writer-illustrator," according to the Washington Post. Winner of the 2010 Regina Award, she has written and illustrated more than fifty books for Holiday House. She lives in Corinth, Vermont.

Editorial Reviews

"It merits a place in most libraries, and will slither quickly off the shelves."

"Gibbons's offering will be enjoyed by young readers and budding herpetologists."

From the Publisher

Typical Gibbons-straightforward, poorly organized, with lots of information and lots and lots of basic watercolor illustrations. Schools must buy these by the boatload for their relative accessibility and adherence to curricula; there are no other compelling reasons, as better books abound. Gibbons is strong on facts, less so on explanation. We learn that throughout history people have believed snakes have special powers, but we don't learn why. We learn that snakes have a role in the balance of nature, but we don't learn what that role is. The best pages explain how snakes move and show what the skeleton of a snake looks like; the worst show different breeds of snakes that look like rubber toys. Strictly for fans. (Nonfiction. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews