Nonfiction Monday

ANIMAL NOSES by nature photographer Mary Holland introduces young readers to variations and adaptations of noses in this new addition to her award-winning Animal Anatomy series.

Eye-catching closeups are underscored by age appropriate text that offers insights into the many ways animals use their noses for survival. Although written with children in mind, adults will learn new facts as well. Polar bears can smell seals through 3 feet of ice. Deer lick their noses to keep them wet because scents stick to wet noses better than to dry ones. A Beaver has valves in its nose that close to keep water out when the beaver is under water. Fascinating!

The book identifies an audience of ages 5-9. Young readers will enjoy the strong visual impact of the images and benefit from reading with an adult or older sibling. Experienced readers will find the text engaging and will discover more information in the final section titled For Creative Minds where additional discussions review the many specific ways in which animals utilize their noses. A “Sense of Smell” page explains how the sense of smell works. “Fun Facts” provides an assortment of details:  many fish have a well-developed sense of smell, people can detect a trillion distinct scents. “Match the Nose” challenges readers to identify photos of animal noses.  “Animals With a Very Good Sense of Smell” provides examples of mammals, fish, insects, and birds

The publisher, Arbordale, has aligned this book to NGSS, Core, and state standards. An extensive teaching activities guide is available on Arbordalepublishing.com.

An excellent STEM resource. Recommended for home, school, and library.