Animal Legs

by Mary Holland

Overview

Can you smell with your feet? Do you dig your claws into a river’s muddy bank to climb up and bask in the sun? Animals’ legs are different from humans’ in so many ways! Find out why strong talons suit a raptor, or webbing is perfect for water dwellers as author Mary Holland continues her photographic Animal Anatomy and Adaptations series by exploring the ways insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals move and explore their world. This nonfiction picture book with a cuddle factor includes a 4-page For Creative Minds section in the back of the book and a 50-page cross-curricular Teaching Activity Guide online. Animal Legs is vetted by experts and designed to encourage parental engagement. Its extensive back matter helps teachers with time-saving lesson ideas, provides extensions for science, math, and social studies units, and uses inquiry-based learning to help build critical thinking skills in young readers. The Spanish translation supports ELL and dual-language programs. The enhanced ebook reads aloud in both English and Spanish with word highlighting and audio speed control to promote oral language skills, fluency, pronunciation, text engagement, and reading comprehension.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781628558463
Publisher:	Arbordale Publishing
Publication date:	08/10/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	8 MB
Age Range:	4 - 9 Years

Editorial Reviews

How can an insect make it impossible for its prey to escape? Do the feet of some animals change during the summer? How does a skunk use its legs to warn predators and how does an insect knows if it has landed on something good to eat? Holland presents fascinating facts about how animals utilize their legs for exploration and survival in this continuation of her “Animal Anatomy and Adaptation” series. Insects, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, and birds all have legs that are unique to their needs. Some animals have webbed feet for swimming quickly through water, but a mole has shovel shaped feet and short, muscular legs for “swimming” through soil. Holland, a nature photographer, documents the legs of over a dozen different animals with detailed and realistic photographs that make this book a treasure. Thought-provoking questions encourage the reader to look more closely at the photographs and to consider the differences between animal and human legs. The book includes a “For Creative Minds” section with teaching activities, matching games, and fun facts. Both the content and presentation make this book an excellent addition to a science library. Budding naturalists will be inspired. Reviewer: Shae Uden; Ages 4 to 8.

Children's Literature - Shae Uden

09/01/2016
K-Gr 3—Naturalist and nature photographer Holland gives students a glimpse into the stimulating world of animal anatomy, specifically legs—their function and what makes them unique. This title showcases the appendages of a variety of animals from different classes, from caterpillars to frogs to moles. Did you know that skunks alert surrounding creatures that they are ready to spray by stomping their feet? Or that spiders and houseflies use their legs to taste food? The design (black text set against a white background, along with numerous photos) makes this selection a good read-aloud option in a science unit covering animal anatomy. The book contains four pages of fun facts and activities, including one where children have to match close-ups of feet to their respective animal owners. VERDICT An additional purchase for elementary nature lovers.—Kathia Ibacache, Simi Valley Public Library, CA

School Library Journal