CM Magazine: How Animals Communicate.

________________ CM . . . . Volume IV Number 21 . . . . June 19, 1998

Cover How Animals Communicate.
Bobbie Kalman.
Niagara-on-the Lake, ON: Crabtree, 1997.
32 pp, hardcover, $16.76 (cloth), $7.16 (pbk).
ISBN 1-86505-635-8(cloth), ISBN 0-86505-735-4 (pbk).

Subject Heading:
Animal communication-Juvenile literature.

Grades 1 - 3 / Ages 6 - 8.
Review by Lorraine Douglas.
** /4

excerpt:

Courtship Dances
In order to have babies, most animals must find a mate, or partner. Animals have countless ways of sending the message that they are looking for a mate. Many put on a performance called a courtship dance.

This very simple introduction to animal communication has double page spreads on various animal behaviours which are described in clear text, stylized illustrations and colour photographs. These behaviours include the noises, kisses, pheromones and grooming. Specific animals with well know systems of communication are described. These include the dance of the honeybees, the singing of whales, and elephant talk. A short glossary of terms and brief index complete the volume.

Young children will enjoy the photos of animals like the meerkat, but none of the photos are labelled. There is a description of each photo at the end of the book, but users of this material would be better served with captioned photographs. Animal communication is not currently a high demand topic in our public libraries, and this slim volume is not an essential purchase.

Recommended with reservations.

Lorraine Douglas is Administrative Coordinator of Youth Services, Winnipeg Public Library.

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

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - JUNE 19, 1998.