Exploring the World of Coyotes. Tracy C. Read. Richmond Hill, ON: Firefly Books, 2011. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $6.95 (pbk.), $16.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-55407-796-0 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-55407-795-3 (hc.). Subject Heading: Coyote-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Janice Foster. *** /4
	Exploring the World of Seals and Walruses. Tracy C. Read. Richmond Hill, ON: Firefly Books, 2011. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $6.95 (pbk.), $16.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-55407-797-7 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-55407-784-7 (hc.). Subject Headings: Seals (Animals)-Juvenile literature. Walruses-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Janice Foster. *** /4

excerpt:

Yet in spite of its long standing reputation as Public Enemy #1, this wild dog has impressively managed to beat the odds. What qualities does the coyote count on to live another day? (From Exploring the World of Coyotes.)

Powerful flippers, a torpedo-shaped body, a long flexible neck and spine and reduced or nonexistent external organs allow the streamlined seals, sea lions and walrus to navigate their aquatic world. (From Exploring the World of Seals and Walruses.)

Exploring the World of Coyotes and Exploring the World of Seals and Walruses are two of the recent titles in the "Exploring the World of..." series by author Tracy C. Read. This series invites children to explore wildlife through factual information written in a style that includes descriptions, facts and coloured photographs.

      Both titles offer the young readers and researchers an interesting overview of these animals. The common two to four page chapter format introduces each animal, describes its anatomy, discusses how it uses its senses, reviews its diet and distribution and discusses mating and family life. Exploring the World of Coyotes includes a chapter on communication, and Exploring the World of Seals and Walruses has one entitled "Habitat Hazards" that focuses on predators and perils. The attractive layout includes vivid, captioned photographs of various sizes. One full page photo serves as a labeled diagram providing facts on the animals. Other pictures visually complement the text and often add further details. The caption headings, such as "Mouth Trap" and "Tough Love", will draw the reader into having a closer look at both the information and the photograph.

      Author Tracy Read provides the readers with a substantial amount of information in a limited space. The use of a two and three column format for the textual content, however, might provide some difficulty for younger or reluctant readers. The flow of the information becomes impeded because of the fact that the column width only allows placement of five or six words which means a single sentence can take up to six or seven lines of text. Also, although the book layout is appealing to younger researchers, the vocabulary level may be challenging with words such as foraging, denizen and monogamy. The inclusion of a glossary would be useful. Each book does contain an index and photo credits.

      Exploring the World of Coyotes and Exploring the World of Seals and Walruses are very attractive books for young naturalists. They are good springboards for arousing children's curiosity of wildlife and leading readers to further exploration. The skillful integration of high quality photographs provides appeal for all readers, including reluctant researchers.

Recommended.

Janice Foster is a retired teacher and teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB.

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

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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