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Shell, Beak, Tusk: Shared Traits and the Wonders of Adaptation
We think of evolution as a tree with branches that make clear, linear sense—with one animal and its traits clearly derived from one that came before it genetically. But what about animals who share key traits but aren’t on the same family tree? This is called convergent evolution, and it’s the big idea that Bridget Heos tackles in a kid-friendly way in Shell, Beak, Tusk. From mammals to reptiles, and everything in between, Heos manages to make some intriguing comparisons—and bring to life theories of evolution and convergentevolution in bite-sized, easily digested chunks of fun facts, illustrated with full-color photography throughout.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 15, 2018
One trait is explored over a two page spread. Two different animals with this trait are the subject as we compare and contrast how they use this trait to survive.
May 21, 2018
I am a great fan of Bridget Heos' "I, Fly" so couldn't wait to pick up this nonfiction title. In general, the concept of this book is nice - showing how different animals can have the same feature (such as long ears, tusks, beaks, or shells) despite living across the globe from one another - through convergent evolution. And while I like the premise of this book very much, I was disappointed to discover mistakes in it. For example, describing the tall ears of a rabbit, page 10 states that "During cold weather, blood vessels in the ears shrink, so that less warm blood flows to the ears and escapes through the skin." I believe the author means that less HEAT escapes, not blood as stated. Another: on page 16, Heos says that "...fireflies don't always play fair. Some trick other species." but goes on to describe the firefly BEING TRICKED by other species, not doing the tricking, and ending up as food for the other species. So despite the interesting concept, high-quality photos, and nice bibliography, I finished this book more disappointed than confident in the information presented.
November 11, 2017
Heos, Bridget Shell, Beak, Tusk: Shared Traits and the Wonders of Adaptation. PICTURE BOOK. Houghton Mifflin, 2017. $17. 9780544811669
Each two-page spread shows two animals or insects that share a common trait (spines, tall ears, etc.), and talks about how each of them uses that trait. The two animals are not related to each other genetically, nor in the same geographic region. An extensive bibliography is included. Pair this with Different? Same? By Heather Tekavec and Animals Do, Too! By Etta Kaner for an extensive look at animal traits and adaptations. Perfect for Utah’s 7th grade science core.
EL, MS – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
Each two-page spread shows two animals or insects that share a common trait (spines, tall ears, etc.), and talks about how each of them uses that trait. The two animals are not related to each other genetically, nor in the same geographic region. An extensive bibliography is included. Pair this with Different? Same? By Heather Tekavec and Animals Do, Too! By Etta Kaner for an extensive look at animal traits and adaptations. Perfect for Utah’s 7th grade science core.
EL, MS – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
September 29, 2017
This book tells how different animals use their features/colors for good and protection. It is a wonderful pull for info on just a beak or wings, or if you want to know about all adaptations!! Science lesson material!
I rated this book 5 stars because of the amazing quality. The pictures are up close and crystal clear when focusing on the adaptation being talked about. The headings match the picture and content! It is well spaced and written as well! There are many sources in the back and ways to look up one topic!
I would use this book in my Science class. I would want in on my board for reference at all times!!
I rated this book 5 stars because of the amazing quality. The pictures are up close and crystal clear when focusing on the adaptation being talked about. The headings match the picture and content! It is well spaced and written as well! There are many sources in the back and ways to look up one topic!
I would use this book in my Science class. I would want in on my board for reference at all times!!
October 5, 2017
Heos for the win with another fun, informative book for kids. Full page photographs with text inset draw attention to animal adaptations. Comparisons are also made between similar animals, describing how their specific adaptations differ. Kids are sure to enjoy the close-up pictures, and will hopefully learn in the process. A great non-fiction book for elementary students!
October 7, 2017
Amazing photographs and lots of facts about the adaptations of interesting animals (platypus, anteater, and porcupine to name a few) make this the perfect book for animal loving children. Would be great to pair with Jess Keating's books.
March 10, 2018
Great information and comparisons in an exploration of animal traits and adaptations. I would love to see a map added since the location of many of the animal's was mentioned. Curious about the possible errors that were mentioned by one reviewer... Great photos of the animals being compared.
June 1, 2018
Awesome book that clearly explains convergent evolution comparing two, very different animals that share the same adaptive traits. Great photoggraphs, bibliography, photo credits, index.
Final page suggests an activity: pick a common trait and design a convergent pait.
Final page suggests an activity: pick a common trait and design a convergent pait.
May 13, 2019
"Every living thing on Earth has traits that allow it to eat or avoid being eaten" p. 1
Each 2 page spread in this book compares and contrasts two animals that use the same adaptation and includes color photos of each animal. I would save this for upper elementary.
Each 2 page spread in this book compares and contrasts two animals that use the same adaptation and includes color photos of each animal. I would save this for upper elementary.
June 27, 2017
Such a great example of compare and contrast writing, with lots of great animal facts and nice photographs
December 14, 2017
mentor text for compare and contrast
January 15, 2018
Add this title to your elementary nonfiction collection. Readers of Pink is for Blobfish or Lesser Spotted Animals will love this one.
February 4, 2019
Long but cool for research
December 26, 2019
It seemed like too much materials in one book.
October 21, 2021
Enjoyed the compare and contrast format and learning lots of new things about animals I thought I knew a lot about.
December 28, 2021
Excellent and creative look at adaptations through the lens of convergent evolution. I’m interested to try sharing this with my students and see how they respond.
July 23, 2022
Good for compare/contrast
August 1, 2017
What a wonderful book for discussions of adaptation and evolution for primary and intermediate students. Published April 14, 2017
April 5, 2017
A cool book that talks about similar traits in animals who are not closely related. Photographs of the animals are included.
April 9, 2017
An engaging and informative look at animals with similar traits who are not closely related with great color photographs.
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April 11, 2017Who knew that aardvarks and elephants are close cousins?
Fascinating information about recurring traits in the animal world, such as bills, sticky tongues, wings, and spines, with concepts clearly explained for a child audience.
The layout of the text was nicely balanced with photographs until the end page, which was a little distracting, but it's a minor quibble.
Fascinating information about recurring traits in the animal world, such as bills, sticky tongues, wings, and spines, with concepts clearly explained for a child audience.
The layout of the text was nicely balanced with photographs until the end page, which was a little distracting, but it's a minor quibble.
April 14, 2017
Shared traits and adaptation
April 24, 2017
A look at animals and the special traits they have developed through evolution. I really liked how high interest facts were woven into text that did the double duty of cluing readers in to any shared ancestors between the animals being presented in a given spread. I appreciated the way the information was formatted because it allowed the author to pair up very different animals and discuss the trait they had in common (i.e. a shell) while also incorporating some geography and information relating to how animals are classified.
This book does a great job of getting readers excited to learn more about this topic or any of the individual animals presented. The full color photos are large and allow readers to see details they might not have noticed before in other nonfiction books for his age range (i.e. the small teeth in a duck's beak or the texture of a duck-billed platypus beak).
Highly recommended for grades 2-5.
This book does a great job of getting readers excited to learn more about this topic or any of the individual animals presented. The full color photos are large and allow readers to see details they might not have noticed before in other nonfiction books for his age range (i.e. the small teeth in a duck's beak or the texture of a duck-billed platypus beak).
Highly recommended for grades 2-5.
April 24, 2017
Great photos and answers to "Why?" and "What for?"
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December 4, 2017Everyone learns at an early age that birds have beaks, but you don't usually learn until later that birds aren't the only ones with this neat adaptation. This book takes a unique approach to an adaptation book, by showing specific adaptations that very different animals have in common. They are shown through really clear and bright photographs, paired with clear and concise informational text. This would be a great independent read for any animal lover.
December 13, 2018
Educational.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews