Nature's Predators - Polar Bears - Hardcover

"Report writers (will) come away much more informed. Each volume in this new series is a well-written, well-organized, thorough look at how a creature hunts, catches, and devours its food, which, as it happens, encompasses a lot of natural history territory. The series format is attractive: slightly enlarged type, clear paragraph headings allow for quick access, and many illustrations. The content is excellent, and kids will come away not only more knowlegeable but also more respectful of the other animals that share our planet."
-- Booklist (October 2001) (Booklist 20011015)

"These series titles offer solid information."
-- School Library Journal (June 2002) (School Library Journal 20020601)

"The books could be supplemental titles for general reports or useful additions for pleasure reading by kids who enjoy nature shows and books."
-- School Library Journal (June 2002) (School Library Journal 20020601)

"The descriptive text and color photos will hold interest."
-- Library Talk (March-April 2002) (Library Talk 20020401)

"Teachers might also find the books useful as examples of tightly organized narratives for graphic organization projects. Recommended."
-- Library Talk (March-April 2002) (Library Talk 20020401)

"Readers who have weak stomachs or who have just finished eating may not appreciate these books...The descriptive text and color photos will hold interest, but students doing reports may have to use additional resources to fill in some details. Teachers might also find the books useful as examples of tightly organized narratives for graphic organization projects. Recommended."
-- Library Talk (March/April 2002) (Library Talk 20020401)

Reviewed with Stuart A. Kallen's Spiders.

Gr. 4-6. Report writers won't get the "whole story" in these Nature's Predators volumes, but they'll still come away much more informed. Each volume in this new series is a well-written, well-organized, thorough look at how a creature hunts, catches, and devours its food, which, as it happens, encompasses a lot of natural-history territory. For example, kids find out how a spider spins a web. The series format is attractive: slightly enlarged type, clear paragraph headings to allow for quick access, and many illustrations (including some pretty gruesome ones in Polar Bears). The appended material, however, is disappointingly limited, and magazine articles are listed under "Books" in the Polar Bears volume. The single "video" noted is from 1989. Hopefully, forthcoming volumes will be more attentive to such details; in the meantime, though, don't cross these off your selection lists. The content is excellent, and kids will come away not only more knowledgeable but also more respectful of the other animals that share our planet. Stephanie Zvirin
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