Nature
photographer Mary Holland introduces young readers to the many variations and
adaptations of ANIMAL EARS in this
new addition to her award-winning Animal Anatomy series.
Stunning
full-color closeups fill most of the double page spreads and are underscored by
age appropriate text that offers insights into the many ways in which animals
use their ears to survive. Although written with children in mind, adults will
learn new facts as well. Did you know
that not all ears are located on the head? Katydid ears are on their legs. And
while most animals have a pair of ears, the Praying Mantis has only one which
is located in a groove on the underside of its body between its front legs.
Fascinating!
The
book identifies an audience of ages 4-9. Younger 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 ears. A “Mix and Match” page challenges readers to
pair photos of animals with the correct set of ears. “How Do Ears Hear?” provides
a more detailed look at the mechanism of hearing and also alerts readers to the
fact that not every person is able to utilize this important sense. “Ear
Questions” answers three important questions: Why do some animals have very
small ears? – How do owls hear so well? – Can ears do anything but hear?
The
publisher, Arbordale, has aligned this book to NGSS, Core, and state standards
in science, math, and social studies. An extensive teaching activities guide is
available on Arbordalepublishing.com.
An
excellent STEM resource. Recommended for home, school, and library.
