Tarantulas

February 1, 2012

Gr 3-5-These well-crafted introductions take a close look at arachnids with extraordinary attributes. In each title, a succinct text describes general characteristics; major physical and behavioral characteristics shared by all of the featured invertebrates; distinctive traits of particular species; habitats; life cycles; feeding habits and diets, etc. Each book concludes with a story outlining the lives of representative males and females, from birth to reproduction as adults. Sharp, close-up color photos (extreme close-ups in Mites) depict each stage of their life cycles. In some sections, a photo appears on every page; in others, a full-page close-up alternates with each page of text. About a dozen species are depicted in Tarantulas and Mites, four in Wind Scorpions. Highlighting each title are detailed, double-page, anatomical diagrams of both external and internal key body parts. Hexagon-shaped sidebars, scattered throughout, offer additional facts. Addenda include information on related arachnids and a simple activity demonstrating a behavior discussed in the text (feeding, molting, etc.). Mites and Tarantulas offer more detail on anatomy than other introductions, such as Carrie Gleason's Feasting Bedbugs, Mites, and Ticks (Crabtree, 2011) and Alice B. McGinty's The Tarantula (Rosen, 2002); they also describe mating (and depict it in Tarantulas), which these earlier titles do not. As there is little information available on wind scorpions, Markle's books will also help fill a gap. Valuable resources for both students and arachnophiles alike.-Karey Wehner, formerly at the San Francisco Public Library

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2012
Grades 4-7 The Arachnid World series looks at animals that are often confused with insects but are actually in a class by themselves. After introducing arachnids, each book looks more closely at one type, discussing its physical structure, life cycle, and characteristic behaviors. Large color photos, sometimes highly magnified, appear throughout the books and illustrate the text quite well. One uncommonly useful feature in each book is the pair of double-page spreads showing the animal's body, inside and out. First, a photo of the arachnid appears with its visible parts clearly labeled and certain features discussed more fully. Next, a large-scale cross section shows the critter's innards, with an arrow pointing out each significant organ and leading to related text boxes. Tarantulas looks at the lives of these large, hairy spiders and points out that they help control insect populations. Each volume concludes with a glossary, an activity, and short, annotated lists of books and websites. Solid additions to science collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2012
Each book in this series introduces readers to the body structure, characteristics, and life cycle of a species of arachnid. Formulaic writing is generally enhanced by diagrams and stock photographs. The books are uniform in layout, design, and organization, making them more serviceable than inspired. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)