Book Description

Discover the magical world of animals, from Aardvark through to Zebra. Love animals? Come on a journey through the alphabet and find out all about the 2 million species on Earth. Discover why some birds fly, but others don't. Get close to creep crawlies you never knew existed, from meat eaters (yikes) to ones with lots of legs! Or meet the tiny things you can't see, but live closer to you than you might ever imagine! This work includes six sections on each major animal group including mammals, reptiles, creepy crawlies, birds, amphibians and fish. Stunning up-close photography reveals how all kinds of animals and plants live together. It includes fully cross-referenced topics, perfect for homework or projects.

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Imagine a snake that can change its body shape to "fly" up to 164 feet between trees in the rain forest. Learn why a river that contains rat-tailed maggots and tubifex worms is in trouble. Find out how the male emperor penguin keeps its eggs warm--balanced on top of his feet! No child needs to be told that the animal kingdom is truly extraordinary. But every child will want to discover in greater detail, from A to Z, just how remarkable the critters of the world really are. Dorling Kindersley, masters of pictorial reference guides (Dorling Kindersley Children's Atlas, DK Science Encyclopedia, DK Nature Encyclopedia), bring the animal world vividly to life with their Animal Encyclopedia. Arranged alphabetically, from aardvarks to zebras, this lavishly illustrated guide investigates over 2,000 animal species, using crisp, stunning photographs, artwork, and special features. Each entry includes a fact box that provides quick reference information, such as family name for that group of animals, habitat, food, number of eggs or young, and size. A very useful scale shows a silhouette of the animal next to that of an average size adult human male, to give readers an idea of its size. The "Find Out More" box directs readers to other pages to read about a linked subject. A glossary and an index are provided, as well as an "Animal Life" section, which explains how animals behave and fit into their individual habitats. This wonderful resource for home projects or schoolwork will be an absolute favorite for every member of the family for years to come. (Ages 8 and older)

From Booklist

Reviewed with Kingfisher Illustrated Animal Encyclopedia.

These two single-volume animal encyclopedias are designed for the upper-elementary level and up. In both, the color photographs practically leap off the page and are accompanied by brief descriptions that will activate one's curiosity to look further.

The DK volume begins with a lengthy presentation called "Animal Life" covering such general topics as classification, communication, habitats, and migration. This is followed by "Animal A-Z," where animals are treated in segments of up to three pages. As one expects from DK, the emphasis is on the illustrations, which are accompanied by captions, and short chunks of text and fact boxes that list family, habitation, food, life span, size, and other data. There are almost 150 A-Z entries, many including full-page photographs that show animals in their natural habitats. More than 2,000 species are covered, although the majority are represented only by a photograph. Animals were presumably selected because of their interest to children (and British children at that, because there is a full-page entry for hedgehogs). The text concludes with a glossary and an index.

The Kingfisher volume takes a more scientific approach. Noted naturalist Burnie sets a nice background in his introduction about the characteristics of animals. He includes a couple of pages that depict the classification of animals, followed by two pages that clearly show how all the animals fit into the animal kingdom. Instead of the alphabetical format used in the DK volume, information on animals is arranged by class, from simple animals to mammals. These divisions are further broken down by phylum and subphylum. Within these sections, there is a paragraph devoted to each selected species (more than 2,000 in all) providing scientific name, distribution, and size, as well as a brief description. Sidebars treat topics such as metamorphosis and symbiosis. A glossary and index complete the text.

Photographs and illustrations abound. Each bewitching photo attracts the reader to read the description, and Burnie's descriptions are interesting. He tells us, for example, that most pipe fish swim horizontally, but some swim vertically. The males carry the eggs until they hatch, as do male seahorses. (Could this get a discussion going on the division of labor around a home?) There are several pictures of copulating animals, such as the toads in the section on amphibians. Most adults (parents and teachers) should not find this objectionable and will recognize the natural scientific tone.

In both volumes, the strong visual presentation is likely to attract readers. The DK volume may be more accessible to children in younger grades, while the Kingfisher volume will be appreciated by students who are ready for a more sophisticated approach. Both books are recommended for homes, schools, and public libraries. RBB

From School Library Journal

There is plenty of competition in the single-volume specialty encyclopedia market, but this volume rises to the top for its multidirectional approach and striking illustrations. Prefaced by a selection of prizewinning nature photographs by children and teenagers, the book's first quarter is taken up with a series of topical spreads on physical structures, attack and defense mechanisms, homes, habitats, and the like. An animal A-to-Z follows, introducing about 2000 individual or related species under headings of widely varying scope: "Amphibians," "Cobras," "Humans." Each one-to-three page entry in this section contains brief comments on appearances, variations, behavior, and reproduction, as well as boxed summary facts, cross-references, and a silhouetted human hand or body to show comparative size. The art, a richly informative blend of painted or photographic close-ups, action shots, and isolated portraits, is up to DK's usual standards for sharpness of detail, brilliance of color, and dramatic impact. Where else can viewers see a flamingo's distinctive skull, a (painted) cross-sectional view of a pregnant gorilla, or an owl pellet partially exploded to reveal what its maker had for dinner? The level of specific detail is relatively low, but the cross-references, along with a large index, link related information nicely, and the writing is vivid enough to hold its own against the visuals. Despite the lack of maps, charts (of, for instance, endangered species), or outside resources, this book will reward both browsers and focused inquirers and enhance any reference collection.

John Peters, New York Public Library

About Author

Barbara Taylor has written many science and nature books for children including The Animal Atlas, DK Inside Guides, and the Dorling Kindersley Nature Encyclopedia.