Full Text Review(s)
[Deer, Owls, Monkeys]-"These excellent books showcase the animal’s life cycle, diet, behavioral patterns, anatomy, relationship with humans, and conservation status. Chapter titles will pique readers’ curiosity, and the content will keep them hooked. Vivid color photographs and illustrations and a clear font make these works stand out. Unlike many other series that employ a cookie-cutter layout, these books contain chapters suited to the information being presented while still maintaining a common feel and appearance. The texts, illustrations, and captions are well combined to create titles that students will want to read both for information and pleasure."

[Butterflies, Penguins, Spiders]-"These detailed overviews provide researchers with sufficient information for most reports. Strong writing melds well with well-selected photos, all of which are clearly produced and of high quality. Some of the images are stunning, such as the full-page proboscis (Butterflies), an oil-spill-coated African Penguin (Penguins), and a bright-green crab spider holding onto a blade of grass (Spiders). The texts outline the animals’ evolution, physical attributes, reproduction, life cycles, and habitat. Easy-to-understand diagrams of the body parts are included. Supremely well-organized and satisfying presentations."

[Cats, Chimpanzees]-"With these solid sources, young report writers may study the progression of scientific thought and explore attitudes regarding the treatment of cats, and chimpanzees from different perspectives. In both books, bright color illustrations, including photographs, maps, and graphs, give a greater understanding of evolution, physical features, life cycles, behavior, and current controversies. Using these animals for medical testing or other controversial purposes is also explored. Jane Goodall's The Chimpanzees I Love (Scholastic, 2001) exudes her passion for the subject and Claire Robinson's Chimpanzees (Heinemann Library, 1998) focuses on a particular group of chimpanzees. Steffof's books offer more than an overview, giving readers a strong combination of text and illustration."

[Whales, Elephants]-"Two new titles in the longstanding AnimalWays series offer excellent overviews of their subjects. Written in engaging language, the books begin with interesting chapters on the animals' roles in history, mythology, religion, and literature. Subsequent sections address the animals' physical characteristics, behavior, life cycles, habitats, and risks, including poachers and naturally occurring diseases-for example, anthrax in elephants. Whales covers the animals' migration patterns and unique method of communication. Both titles offer background scientific concepts, such as an explanation of why size gives whales an underwater advantage. Sharp color photos of the animals in the wild mix with archival images, helpful charts, and artists' renderings. Species checklists, animal kingdom charts, a glossary, a bibliography, and suggestions for further research round out these handsome titles with unusual depth."