Creature Features
by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
HMH Books for Young Readers (October 7, 2014)
Audience: Grades 3 to 6
Nonfiction * Animals * Animal Morphology
Indiebound | WorldCat
Publisher Page
Description from GoodReads:
Dear axolotl: Why do you have feathers growing out of your head?Axolotl: They aren't feathers—they're gills! They let me breathe underwater.
Let's face it. Even as babies, we humans pay close attention to faces. Observing another person's features and expressions tells us whether they are happy, angry, excited, or sad. And when we look at an animal, it's hard not to imagine that its face is communicating human feelings. This isn't true, of course. Squinty eyes, an upturned mouth, or another odd expression is probably there because, in some way, it helps that animal survive.
Packed with many cool facts and visuals on where certain animals live and what they eat, this book captures twenty-five humorous—and very true—explanations of why animals look the way they do in order to exist in this world
My thoughts on the book:
Steve Jenkins is one of those authors that I have on autobuy. In his latest book, Creature Features, he pairs up with his wife, Robin Page for a creative and informative look at animals and what their features enable them to do.
Each animal is presented through a question about a special feature unique to that particular animal. This is followed up by a response.
One of my favorites is the Egyptian Vulture. ""Questions: Dear Egyptian Vulture: Why no feathers on your face? Answer: Are you sure you really want to know? Really? Okay, I'll tell you. I stick my face into the bodies of the dead animals I eat, and feathers would get pretty messy." (p. 2)
Not only is there a precise answer but it is usually laced with a bit of humor.
This book would work great as a read aloud or for a shared read with other students or for an independent reading choice for a student who wants to learn new facts about animals. This is a great addition to any classroom or school library.
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