Reptile World

Simple sentences detail the typical experiences of an animal’s day. Alligators, for example, shows the reptiles nesting, hunting, basking, and swimming and notes physical characteristics like “long claws.” Text focuses on one or two main activities, without trying to cover every aspect. Basic sentence structure and easy vocabulary provide accessibility to developing readers. Large, vivid images add high appeal and also enhance the intentionally basic text with visual cues. A close-up view of a drop of rattlesnake venom and a lively tortoise fight are just two examples. Some opposing photos of predator and prey are less successful (they are clearly separate images, but the narrative describes the animals interacting). However, for the most part, the strong visual presentation will draw readers right into the animals’ worlds.VERDICTHigh appeal for new readers of nonfiction.

These basic reptile introductions offer judiciously selected facts coupled with strong visual content to appeal to early readers. Spare text offers a couple of sentences per page, with simple vocabulary. One or two features of each animal are highlighted over multiple pages. In Horned Toads, for example, defense against predators is the main topic; Crocodiles covers hunting and babies. The tight focus is supported by vivid, well-chosen photographs. The text of Komodo Dragon, for example, basically lists its physical features, but the dynamic images, many of which expand beyond a single page, convey the uniqueness of the animal in ways that young readers will absorb and remember. A captioned photograph closes each book, highlighting a few body parts and adding a bit more information. VERDICT Bare-bones material paired with strong visual appeal makes this set an excellent choice for beginners; older readers will want more content.

Snakes take center stage in this addition to the Reptile World series. Venomous snakes and strangling snakes get equal page time in these four volumes, which are structured for the early reader: bold, colorful (and sometimes gruesome!) photos are the focus, offset by a straightforward text that utilizes action words and simple vocabulary. The star of Anacondasis notable for its massive size; though slow on land, its hunting skills in the water are demonstrated as it catches a caiman. Early readers are further assisted by each volume’s final picture glossary, which will help them to visualize potentially unfamiliar terms, and a diagram of each snake and its surprisingly varied parts. The high-interest topic (and the images that show the snakes devouring their prey) will attract readers, while the upbeat tone will help alleviate the fears of fledgling researchers.— Maggie Reagan