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First published January 1, 2009
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Melissa Stewart
293 books184 followersMelissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than 180 science and nature books for children. She offers a wide range of programs for schools, libraries, nature centers, and conferences. www.melissa-stewart.com"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 24, 2011
As levelled readers go, National Geographic Kids is my favourite series, and Melissa Stewart’s Snakes is one of the best. But that could be because I dig snakes.
Seriously, though, it is not just because I dig snakes.
Stewart crafts a smart little book, full of interesting titbits, lots of killer trivia, and she even taught me a thing or two I never knew or forgot somewhere along the line.
Like, did you know that not all snakes lay eggs? Some of them, like the Puff Adder, actually carry their living babies in their bellies. And here, all this time, I thought the “Snake Surprise” in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was just a bit of cinematic fantasy silliness.
And did you know that garter snakes in Canada gather together to hibernate? Thousands of them. How cool is that?
Damn do I love learning new stuff. It never gets old.
The photographs, undoubtedly from the beautiful National Geographic archives, are a fitting accompaniment to Stewart’s writing, perfectly illustrating the lessons she’s teaching. And the writing level is perfect for boys and girls just starting to read on their own.
Yep, Snakes is a really good book in a really good series.
Still, as I read these new National Geographic books (and I read whichever ones my kids are reading), I can’t help missing those old National Geographic books. Do you remember those large format hard cover books with titles like Creatures of the Night and Animals and Their Hiding Places? There’s a bit of nostalgia for those books that holds me back from giving my full love to the books that have replaced them.
Grumpy old bastard that I am.
In case you’re wondering, I’ll be reading Sharks next since it’s the one Bronte is reading right now.
Seriously, though, it is not just because I dig snakes.
Stewart crafts a smart little book, full of interesting titbits, lots of killer trivia, and she even taught me a thing or two I never knew or forgot somewhere along the line.
Like, did you know that not all snakes lay eggs? Some of them, like the Puff Adder, actually carry their living babies in their bellies. And here, all this time, I thought the “Snake Surprise” in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was just a bit of cinematic fantasy silliness.
And did you know that garter snakes in Canada gather together to hibernate? Thousands of them. How cool is that?
Damn do I love learning new stuff. It never gets old.
The photographs, undoubtedly from the beautiful National Geographic archives, are a fitting accompaniment to Stewart’s writing, perfectly illustrating the lessons she’s teaching. And the writing level is perfect for boys and girls just starting to read on their own.
Yep, Snakes is a really good book in a really good series.
Still, as I read these new National Geographic books (and I read whichever ones my kids are reading), I can’t help missing those old National Geographic books. Do you remember those large format hard cover books with titles like Creatures of the Night and Animals and Their Hiding Places? There’s a bit of nostalgia for those books that holds me back from giving my full love to the books that have replaced them.
Grumpy old bastard that I am.
In case you’re wondering, I’ll be reading Sharks next since it’s the one Bronte is reading right now.
April 30, 2018
Wolfie says, “these are probably going to be the best books I’ve ever read because they’re non-fiction.”
November 17, 2017
Summary: Wanna know about snakes? Where they live? What they eat? What they like to do? Read this book! It gives you everything that you need to know!
Evaluation: I gave the book a 4.5. The pictures were wonderful and the text was engaging. It was a wonderful non-fiction read, for someone who is interested in snakes.
Teaching Idea: I would use this if I were having students do research on vertebrates and invertebrates. This would be a great resource for that sort of activity.
Evaluation: I gave the book a 4.5. The pictures were wonderful and the text was engaging. It was a wonderful non-fiction read, for someone who is interested in snakes.
Teaching Idea: I would use this if I were having students do research on vertebrates and invertebrates. This would be a great resource for that sort of activity.
June 18, 2011
Pa: So what did you think, Beans?
Miloš: I thought that it was cool that some people like to have a pet snake and some snakes are ticklish.
Pa: That sounds cool. How do you tickle a snake?
Miloš: No. I mean they can tickle you.
Pa: Aaaah! Kooky.
Miloš: Just by touching them you can be tickled.
Pa: So do you want a pet snake?
Miloš: Yes. I do.
Bronte: Do you want poisonous snake?
Miloš: No, I want a snake that is harmless, that won't hurt anybody, but it would be fun to put the snake in Mom's bed.
Pa: For Kiki Fool's Day?
Miloš: Yeah.
Pa: So what else did you learn? Or like?
Miloš: I loved that he, um, or a snake ... his nose was up on the top of his head and the eyes were on the side but he can still see in front, but when he sliterhs, he hisses, he strikes, his eyes, the slit, turn the shape of a stick and it looks really scary.
Pa: Would you ever eat a snake?
Miloš: No.
Pa: Why not?
Miloš: I like snakes too much.
Pa: So that must mean you hate cows.
Miloš: Why?
Pa: Cause you're eating steak tonight.
Miloš: I don't hate cows.
Pa: I see. So anything else?
Miloš: No.
Pa: Sounds good. See ya.
Miloš: See you.
Miloš: I thought that it was cool that some people like to have a pet snake and some snakes are ticklish.
Pa: That sounds cool. How do you tickle a snake?
Miloš: No. I mean they can tickle you.
Pa: Aaaah! Kooky.
Miloš: Just by touching them you can be tickled.
Pa: So do you want a pet snake?
Miloš: Yes. I do.
Bronte: Do you want poisonous snake?
Miloš: No, I want a snake that is harmless, that won't hurt anybody, but it would be fun to put the snake in Mom's bed.
Pa: For Kiki Fool's Day?
Miloš: Yeah.
Pa: So what else did you learn? Or like?
Miloš: I loved that he, um, or a snake ... his nose was up on the top of his head and the eyes were on the side but he can still see in front, but when he sliterhs, he hisses, he strikes, his eyes, the slit, turn the shape of a stick and it looks really scary.
Pa: Would you ever eat a snake?
Miloš: No.
Pa: Why not?
Miloš: I like snakes too much.
Pa: So that must mean you hate cows.
Miloš: Why?
Pa: Cause you're eating steak tonight.
Miloš: I don't hate cows.
Pa: I see. So anything else?
Miloš: No.
Pa: Sounds good. See ya.
Miloš: See you.
March 11, 2020
This book is about snakes and their way of living,it gives a lot of valuable information on snakes and it made me like them a whole lot more than before,it is a really awesome book for younger kids who would like to learn about snakes,also this tells you about their habitats and how their bodies work.
I give this book 5 stars because it was really informative and detailed and the photographs in the book really stand out,I would recommend this book to my younger siblings so they can gain information at a young age so they can learn more for when they're older.
I give this book 5 stars because it was really informative and detailed and the photographs in the book really stand out,I would recommend this book to my younger siblings so they can gain information at a young age so they can learn more for when they're older.
November 11, 2020
Non fiction children's book. This a great interactive read for a short mini lesson on snakes. I love how this book offers great Q&A's and facts about snakes throughout the book. It's a fun read if you're a fan of snakes!
February 6, 2020
4 stars - read with student
March 7, 2020
Gross out at some points
August 9, 2024
Maddie loves all reptiles, so it was a good read.
December 25, 2016
Eli LOVED it!
October 28, 2012
This book is about snakes, snakes and more snakes! This book does a great job of highlighting the most fascinating facts about snakes that every kid wants to know: how snakes move, super snakes, snake snacks, and which snakes are the most poisonous, heaviest, fastest, and smallest! Not to mention it is filled with many photographs of a variety of snakes and their body parts.
Even though it is a book for beginning readers, it will delight kids of all ages. I think it will be especially be great for boys.
This would be a great fit for young students because snakes have always been a topic of fascination for people. I think students love to learn about creatures they are afraid of or who are revered in a society.
I would use this book as a source of research when students are writing a paper. I think it would be helpful because it is short, but full of useful facts. I also think it would be good to have on the shelf for readers who struggle with reading and as a way to engage boys in reading. Struggling readers could use the visuals as a way to understand the words.
Even though it is a book for beginning readers, it will delight kids of all ages. I think it will be especially be great for boys.
This would be a great fit for young students because snakes have always been a topic of fascination for people. I think students love to learn about creatures they are afraid of or who are revered in a society.
I would use this book as a source of research when students are writing a paper. I think it would be helpful because it is short, but full of useful facts. I also think it would be good to have on the shelf for readers who struggle with reading and as a way to engage boys in reading. Struggling readers could use the visuals as a way to understand the words.
July 22, 2014
K picked this book up from his school library.
You get a lot of different information about different kinds of snakes. You learn about how they move, about super snakes their senses and a little bit more. There the pictures are realistic and go with what is being told to you. National Geographic did a great job with the information and the pictures. Me and K learned a little bit more about the different snakes that were told in this book.
This is a level two reader so it is great for those that can read as they can read it to themselves. But I think it is great for all school age children and for those that either love snakes or want to learn more about snakes. I see us buying this book to keep on our shelves.
You get a lot of different information about different kinds of snakes. You learn about how they move, about super snakes their senses and a little bit more. There the pictures are realistic and go with what is being told to you. National Geographic did a great job with the information and the pictures. Me and K learned a little bit more about the different snakes that were told in this book.
This is a level two reader so it is great for those that can read as they can read it to themselves. But I think it is great for all school age children and for those that either love snakes or want to learn more about snakes. I see us buying this book to keep on our shelves.
March 1, 2011
National Geo does a great job with Kids books. This book was full of facts and a lot of good photography. It also had jokes which makes it a fun book for kids. If a snake went to school what would its favorite class be? Hiss-tory of course! I also learned why a snake has a forked tongue. I thought it had to do with telling lies. It is to let them know which way to turn. Pretty cool. This one makes it to the 1-2-1 table.
August 13, 2016
National Geographic Kids always has interesting books with stunning photography that kids will love and learn from. This addition Snakes! is particularly good because of the always wonderful Melissa Stewart, each of her non-fiction works is written in a way that is easy to understand, and attention-grabbing for young readers on up. I learned sssso much about thisss interessssting inhabitant of our planet; sssssenssssational!
July 26, 2015
First of all, I liked that there was jokes on the top of some pages. I couldn't believe that some people keep snakes for pets. It's really weird. I think it's no fair that if snakes get their tongues out they know if it is safe to go left or right. I wish I could do that. I learned that if a snake's pupil is round, it hunts in the day time, and if its pupil is ova lush shaped it hunts in the nighttime.
July 31, 2013
Level 2 Reader
I am not giving this one a 4 star rating, my four year old cousin is giving it a 5 and I'm refusing to follow his recommendation. To say he loved this book would be an understatement. Between my squirming at each picture and the information presented he was thrilled with every turn of the page.
I am not giving this one a 4 star rating, my four year old cousin is giving it a 5 and I'm refusing to follow his recommendation. To say he loved this book would be an understatement. Between my squirming at each picture and the information presented he was thrilled with every turn of the page.
April 23, 2012
This non-fiction book is full of fun facts about our slithery friends. There are also several fun pictures that will keep the attention of the students. This book is a great segue to a science lesson on snakes.
March 1, 2014
Yet another snake book. This book has many children-level facts about snakes, and lots of interesting pictures. I would recommend this book for teachers who want their students to read about animals, and this series of books is informative from a children-level of reading.
February 26, 2015
I enjoyed reading this book. It was filled with fun facts that kept me interested and I was curious to know more. I'm not a fan of snakes but this book kind of taught me there is a lot more to snakes than just scary creatures!
July 8, 2015
I liked this book because there were jokes like what does a hawk order in an ice cream shop? A milk snake! The most interesting thing was that some people have pet snakes. I would maybe want a pet snake.
February 4, 2011
Lola loves this series, especially the Snakes! book. It's just right for her reading level - informative but simple to read and great pictures.
January 12, 2012
gokillll...ini buku, fotonya bikin merinding euy! hihhhssssshh
tp keren banget bangettaann!!
tp keren banget bangettaann!!
August 31, 2012
i love viper snake! :D
September 25, 2012
June 26, 2012
March 7, 2013
Geddy read 6-16-13
April 29, 2013
Good book for beginning readers. It's a good book to draw in the interest of boys and the photos throughout are very good.
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June 11, 20133 copies
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December 27, 2013AR Quiz No. 131321 EN Nonfiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 3.2 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, RV
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 3.2 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, RV
March 22, 2014
Very simply worded explanation about different kinds of snakes. Very well researched and very informative. Any kid that likes animals would enjoy this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews