The Life Cycle of a Sea Horse. (The Life Cycle Series). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2004. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.06 (pbk.), $20.76 (RLB). ISBN 0-7787-0693-1 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-0663-X (RLB). Subject Heading: Sea Horses-Life cycles-Juvenile literature. Grades 2-4 / Ages 5-9. Review by Gail Hamilton. *** /4
	The Life Cycle of a Mosquito. (The Life Cycle Series). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2004. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.06 (pbk.), $20.76 (RLB). ISBN 0-7787-0695-8 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-0665-6 (RLB). Subject Heading: Mosquitoes-Juvenile literature. Grades 2-4 / Ages 5-9. Review by Gail Hamilton. *** /4
	The Life Cycle of a Beetle. (The Life Cycle Series). Mollie Aloian and Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2004. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.06 (pbk.), $20.76 (RLB). ISBN 0-7787-0692-3 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-0662-1 (RLB). Subject Heading: Beetles-Life cycles-Juvenile literature. Grades 2-4 / Ages 5-9. Review by Gail Hamilton. *** /4
	The Life Cycle of a Honeybee. (The Life Cycle Series). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2004. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.06 (pbk.), $20.76 (RLB). ISBN 0-7787-0694-X (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-0664-8 (RLB). Subject Heading: Honeybee-Life cycles-Juvenile literature. Grades 2-4 / Ages 5-9. Review by Gail Hamilton. *** /4
	The Life Cycle of an Earthworm. (The Life Cycle Series). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2004. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.06 (pbk.), $20.76 (RLB). ISBN 0-7787-0696-6 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-0666-4 (RLB) Subject Heading: Earthworms-Life cycles-Juvenile literature. Grades 2-4 / Ages 5-9. Review by Gail Hamilton. *** /4
	The Life Cycle of a Flower. (The Life Cycle Series). Mollie Aloian and Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2004. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.06 (pbk.), $20.76 (RLB). ISBN 0-7787-0697-4 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-0667-2 (RLB) Subject Heading: Flowers-Life cycles-Juvenile literature. Grades 2-4 / Ages 5-9. Review by Gail Hamilton. *** /4

excerpt:

Flowers that are pollinated by insects often have bright blue, purple, mauve, pink or yellow petals, which stand out against nearby green plants.

A few flowers, including the jack-in-the-pulpit, attract pollinators without smelling sweet. Instead, they smell like carrion, or decaying animal flesh. The stinky smells these flowers give off attract flies that feed on dead animals. The flies visit these flowers and pollinate them.

Some flowers, including violets, irises, and orchids, have special markings that direct pollinators to their nectar. These flowers have petals with lines that point toward the nectar. The lines are called nectar guides. Nectar guides help animals locate a flower’s nectar and, in turn, ensure that pollination takes place.

Part of the 18-volume “The Life Cycle Series,” these titles, with their fairly large text, simple explanations and fabulous photographs and illustrations, are perfect for beginning researchers. Each book consists of 14 or 15 chapters. A table of contents, a brief glossary and an index are provided. Some titles also list a few websites which students can access to obtain further information. All of the books describe the featured organism’s life cycle and life span as well as the threats to its survival - loss of habitat, for example - and how humans can help the species to thrive. Other topics vary.

     The Life Cycle of a Sea Horse provides information about the sea horse’s physical adaptations, habitat, food and behaviour.

     In The Life Cycle of a Mosquito, the various stages of a mosquito’s development are thoroughly explained. Readers will learn about the diseases spread by this insect pest and how to stay safe and prevent bites.

     The differences between land and water beetles and defenses such as camouflage, mimicry and some beetles’ ability to create chemical repellents are just a few of the topics covered in The Life Cycle of a Beetle, while The Life Cycle of a Honeybee describes the types of bees, the jobs of the workers- these tasks change according to the various stages in the worker’s life- and how bees locate nectar and produce honey.

     Earthworms and their important role as decomposers are highlighted in The Life Cycle of an Earthworm. A common myth that earthworms cut in half can regenerate major body parts is dispelled.

     Finally, the parts of a flower, the ability of different flowers to adapt to their unique environments, how plants make food and disperse seeds are some of the topics covered in the title on a flower’s life cycle are covered in The Life Cycle of a Flower. Various types of pollination (cross, self and wind) and the flower’s characteristics which determine the types of animals that will aid in pollination are also explained. Growing flowers from seeds, runners, rhizomes and bulbs is briefly discussed.

     Although some books in the series are better than others, generally, they provide just the right amount of information and plenty of visuals for younger students.

Recommended.

Gail Hamilton is a teacher-librarian at Bird’s Hill School in East St. Paul, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

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