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Jellies: The Life of Jellyfish
Describes the physical characteristics, habits, and natural environment of many species of jellyfish, through simple text and photographs.
Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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About the author
Twig C. George
6 books8 followersTwig grew up in a family of naturalists. Her mother, Jean Craighead George, has written over one hundred children's books and pioneered the genre of scientific literature for children. Twig's father, grandfather and uncles were all biologists dedicated to the study of wildlife and ecology. In the midst of this creative, scientific family Twig and her two brothers, Craig and Luke, helped raise over 173 wild animals in their relatively normal suburban house.
Twig received her Bachelor's degree from Bennington College and a Master's in Child Development from Bank Street College of Education. She has taught young children, developed curriculum and worked as Director of Education for the Center for Marine Conservation in Washington, DC. Mother of two daughters, Katie and Rebecca, she now lives in Cockeysville, Maryland with her family and a small but select group of pets. Fortunately, her husband, David Pittenger, is Director of the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The Aquarium is home to over 5,000 animals so Twig and her girls enjoy the company of many more species than they could fit in their own house.
Twig received her Bachelor's degree from Bennington College and a Master's in Child Development from Bank Street College of Education. She has taught young children, developed curriculum and worked as Director of Education for the Center for Marine Conservation in Washington, DC. Mother of two daughters, Katie and Rebecca, she now lives in Cockeysville, Maryland with her family and a small but select group of pets. Fortunately, her husband, David Pittenger, is Director of the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The Aquarium is home to over 5,000 animals so Twig and her girls enjoy the company of many more species than they could fit in their own house.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 29, 2018
Was really looking forward to this. Considering how neat they look, there are very few books about jellyfish for children. The author being the daughter of Jean Craighead George -- "My Side of the Mountain" -- added encouragement. Hopes dashed, alas.
The pictures are very nice, and much appreciated by DS#2 (18 months). "Jellfish! Jellfish!" he reported.
The text, however, isn't very good, and harps on the incapabilities of jellyfish. They don't have a brain, they have no fear of predators, they don't hunt, they only can move up and down. This isn't entirely correct. Jellyfish lack a conventional brain, but they have neural nets, which are quite sophisticated in some species. Box jellyfish, for example, have eyes (corneas, lenses, even color vision), display object avoidance, and probably some hunting behaviors. Jellyfish certainly move in more directions than simply up and down, which the pictures in the book itself demonstrate. I can see a place for cold-eyed anti-anthropomorphism in children's books, but it's ridiculous to oversell it.
DS #2 4/5
Me 1/5
The pictures are very nice, and much appreciated by DS#2 (18 months). "Jellfish! Jellfish!" he reported.
The text, however, isn't very good, and harps on the incapabilities of jellyfish. They don't have a brain, they have no fear of predators, they don't hunt, they only can move up and down. This isn't entirely correct. Jellyfish lack a conventional brain, but they have neural nets, which are quite sophisticated in some species. Box jellyfish, for example, have eyes (corneas, lenses, even color vision), display object avoidance, and probably some hunting behaviors. Jellyfish certainly move in more directions than simply up and down, which the pictures in the book itself demonstrate. I can see a place for cold-eyed anti-anthropomorphism in children's books, but it's ridiculous to oversell it.
DS #2 4/5
Me 1/5
February 1, 2018
A fun read for kids, with some silly thoughts mixed in with facts. Photos are pretty, but, starting to look a smidge dated.
Brief enough to read to those with short attention spans and a fun nonfiction book for younger kids.
Brief enough to read to those with short attention spans and a fun nonfiction book for younger kids.
May 27, 2018
Very simple and concise, but not just for the youngest children.
Not only does it make us fully understand that jellyfish have no brain or heart, but it points out, over the course of many beautiful photos, how many different kinds of jellyfish there (and aren't: the Portuguese man-of-war is not, as it is an air-filled bubble, not a water-filled bell). I also learned that there are upside-down jellyfish, "They are their own greenhouses and grocery stores all wrapped up in one."
Not only does it make us fully understand that jellyfish have no brain or heart, but it points out, over the course of many beautiful photos, how many different kinds of jellyfish there (and aren't: the Portuguese man-of-war is not, as it is an air-filled bubble, not a water-filled bell). I also learned that there are upside-down jellyfish, "They are their own greenhouses and grocery stores all wrapped up in one."
March 16, 2017
Definitely intended for young kids. This books has some good photos of jellyfish, all labeled with the common name (though one is literally labelled "an unnamed jellyfish"), and each page has 2-4 sentences of information, with the whole thing starting in the style of "If you were a jellyfish..." and then kind of giving up on that about 1/3rd of the way through in favor of just kind of stating things.
It's pretty simplified observations, which I think everyone expects from books aimed at children. There are a couple author opinions (which are also pretty normal in these types of books but drive me nuts), ie "They look slimy and disgusting when they wash up on the beach."
Overall I'd say this is best for younger kids who like jellies, sea creatures, or even just pretty pictures.
It's pretty simplified observations, which I think everyone expects from books aimed at children. There are a couple author opinions (which are also pretty normal in these types of books but drive me nuts), ie "They look slimy and disgusting when they wash up on the beach."
Overall I'd say this is best for younger kids who like jellies, sea creatures, or even just pretty pictures.
February 13, 2018
This book has great pictures. It gives enough facts mixed with some silliness.
February 22, 2012
Vivid photographs of many different types of Jellies and their anatomy and behavior
May 15, 2015
Excellent storytime non-fiction book with some great facts but not too lengthy that heavy cuts are necessary. It is paired with great pictures too.
November 5, 2015
This is a charming book about jellyfish. Lovely photography, interesting words. A super high quality non-fiction book for young or old.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews