Scholastic Q&A: Did Dinosaurs Live In Your Backyard?

Grade 3-5-Solid chunks of information are offered in these short introductions that answer questions related to their respective subjects. The questions are practical, down-to-earth, and have definite child appeal, such as "What happens when an enemy bites off a spider's leg?" and "Do spitting cobras really spit?" The first title covers the physical and behavioral characteristics common to all spiders, basic anatomy, senses, courting behavior, egg-hatching, special characteristics of about two dozen species, relationship to humans, etc. Tarantulas describes how poisonous animals use venom to capture prey or to defend themselves, hunting and feeding methods, physical or behavioral characteristics of abou- four dozen types, and more. Each title boasts vividly colored, realistic paintings of the animals discussed. Labels identify the creatures by common names. Both titles have lively, well-organized texts that offer up some fascinating facts, figures, and anecdotes. They may inspire students to read more detailed introductions to the subjects, such as Claudia Schnieper's Amazing Spiders (Carolrhoda, 1989), Sandra Markle's Outside & Inside Spiders (Atheneum, 1994), or Nathan Aaseng's Nature's Poisonous Creatures