The Visual Dictionary of Animals

by Clare Shedden

Labels internal and external views of such animals as birds, lizards and snakes, elephants, butterflies and moths, rabbits and rodents, primates, and sharks, and discusses animal tracks and animal classification

Genres: Science, Animals, Nonfiction, Reference, Picture Books, Childrens

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book to older children because of how informative it is. The best thing this book does is include very detailed photographs and illustrations that show exactly what the text explains. This allows children to read the information and then apply their new knowledge to the carefully-labeled images. The vocabulary this book uses is relatively high, so it would likely be daunting to children any younger than 9, but children between 9 and 12 will love this book because it teaches them basic information about the different groups of animals, which will make them feel intelligent and informed. They will also be learning new vocabulary since the author goes out of his way to use the scientific names for things and then define what they are. This book will fascinate older children with its lesser-known facts about these animals, and they will come away from this book having learned at least a few things they did not know before. For these reasons, I would highly recommend this book and all of the Eyewitness Visual Dictionaries to older children who are curious about the world.

[Savanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summary: This book describes a large number of different animals and classifies them. It also describes the differences in animal tracks and the whys of different types of teeth and beaks. This book has pictures of animal bones, internal organs, and whole animals as well as pictures of several animals in various stages of their live.

I think that while this book is very educational, it is not one that I would hand to someone to read. It is a reference book to be glanced threw for pertinent information on a specific creature, class of animal, or phylum. This book could be used for all ages: for little children teachers could just show them the pictures and talk about the animals in them, but to understand the words on their own the kids would need to be in eighth grade.

Nonfiction

WARNING: this book contains a picture of a dissected frog, and has many diagrams of the internal organs of various animals complete with the reproductive system. This book also groups humans with the primates. (There are no pictures of any humans in this book and humans are only mentioned in passing.) I do feel, however, that this book handles these subjects rather well, and does not make a big deal out of anything.

[Danielle Rapoli]

Summary/Review: The book is be better used for an older set of students. Despite being called a dictionary, it includes a large amount of photos that break down the different parts of the animals. There are bit of info on pages and at least one major paragraph. Technical terms are used, which would be why the book would be more appropriate for an older student. Uses in classroom: 1. Could be used in a biology class 2. Introduction or resource for a study on animals. Paired Books: The Visual Dictionary of Human Beings Quote: 1CThe body of an animal reflects the animal 19s way of life and the habitat in which it lives. 1D

[Tierra Garr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe my boys would go nuts about this book. I like how it shows the anatomy of the animals. It shows the skeletons and all!

[Sarah Yasin]

great reference book