Polar Bear (Natural World (Hardcover Raintree))

From School Library Journal Gr 2-4-Clear photographs and enticing layouts distinguish these series entries. In addition, the informative texts that cover habitats, life cycles, and threats to these creatures are enhanced by the quality of their sound-bite sidebars and captions. Giant Panda includes other animals that at times overshadow its main focus, and the discussion of the food chain is oversimplified. However, these flaws stand out only because the remainder of the book is well done. Discussions of scent marking and mating as well as pictures of pandas in threatening postures lend a realistic tone. Polar Bear's photos include a picture of an injured cub and another of two animals around a mostly eaten seal, complete with bloody ribs and offal. Virginia Harrison and Martin Banks's The World of Polar Bears (Gareth Stevens, 1989; o.p.) contains much of the same information, but the layout of Penny's title is superior. The indexes in both titles are generally helpful but unfortunately include such dubious entries as "sense of smell." These appealing series entries will attract animal lovers and hold the attention of browsers and reluctant readers.-Laura Santoro, Coventry Library, Cleveland Heights, OH Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.