Book Review for Discover Science Maps and Mapping by Deborah Chancellor

Discover Science Maps and Mapping

by Deborah Chancellor
Kingfisher
November 9, 2010
07534644500
978-0753464502
56 Pages
Ages 9-12
Nonfiction/Maps and Mapping/Children’s

Maps and Mapping is a breakdown of various maps that are seen and used on a daily basis and some that are used to find information in different ways.

The beginning of the book explains to the reader what maps are, then goes into discussion about why we need them. The information moves into the numerous maps that people use every day such as street maps, town maps, and country maps. The reader will learn more about understanding scale, longitude and latitude lines, and making maps using alternating tools.

The section on drawing maps heads up another section explaining contour lines, reviewing older maps, and how the world was viewed hundreds of years ago. Map keys and how symbols are used are explained, so is how compasses can be used in telling directions on a map.

Map projections are another theme. This section explains how the earth appears using flat maps, underwater maps, and weather maps. We learn that people can create maps of underwater canyons or they can even map the stars.

In the back of Discover Science Maps and Mapping are activities that can be done in the classroom or at home. Readers can make a magnet and create different maps. There is a glossary in the back of the book, a parent and teacher’s section, and a “Did you know?” section. The pages are designed and broken up into a similar fashion to the other books in the rest of the Discover Science Series.

Overall, this book gives a plethora of basic information about maps and mapping. It scratches the surface of many topics, but nothing in too much depth for the target age, 9–12. The pictures throughout the book show various maps and pictures in detail that will interest the reader.

There are a few minor quibbles with this book. This book is meant for children in that K–5 school-age group, but even so it would have been nice to see more detailed information on a few of the topics. The book did its job on relaying a tremendous amount of information about maps and mapping, but there was some basic information left out.

In the map scaling section, it neglected to show what the map scale on a map actually looks like and how the reader can then use that scale to measure distance on a map. When discussing compasses and direction, information and pictures about maps having a compass rose and the intermediate directions were left out.

Though compasses are used for finding directions, the most popular way to find directions these days is by using a GPS. Many vehicles have some type of GPS system in them, and this information is something that majority of children can relate to because they have seen it actually working in their parent’s vehicle. More explanation about that would have interested children as opposed to information about using a compass. The discussion was also limited in newer technology and the use of satellites.

Though certain added information would have benefited Discover Science Maps and Mapping, it does cover lots of valuable information regarding our everyday view of the planet—whether looking at the stars or viewing the world from under the sea or by land.

Book Review for Discover Science Animal Disguises by Belinda Weber

Discover Science Animal Disguises by Belinda Weber

Kingfisher
December 21, 2010
0753464519
978-0753464519
56 Pages
Ages 9–12
Nonfiction/Science/Zoology/Children’s

Animal Disguises is a book filled with a plethora of information about the cleverness of animals and how they survive and protect themselves in the wild.

Similar to the other books in the Discover Series, Animal Disguises has a table of contents in the beginning of the book for easy reference. Each topic is broken down individually. The first main topic covered is camouflage. From explaining what camouflage is, from how animals blend in with their environments, whether by patterns on their coats or skin, or their color, or their size. It also includes pictures of various animals that perfectly complement the text.

Then we explore animals that match in their environments so seamlessly that one would never know they were there until stumbled upon. Some animals live in leaves, hide themselves in fruit and flowers, disguise themselves within rocks, or even imitate tree branches.

Camouflage can be achieved in various ways. Some animals use counter shading as an element of surprise, especially those animals that can be seen from the sky as well as from the water. Certain animals undergo a color-change phase. In the summer certain animals are brown to match their dry environments, while in winter their coats will change to white to match the snow.

We cannot forget the animals that are color shifters. These critters can change color to match their environment in a matter of seconds. When changing color or shape will not do, some animals will cleverly disguise themselves by adding their shape whatever happens to be around them.

There are many animals whose bodies were designed to trick a predator or prey, whether it is to save themselves, or to get food. Some animals play dead, inflate, display color, or set traps. Snakes, turtles, and fish all have their own ways of tricking prey into being their next meal, while others copy the adaptations of poisonous animals to keep them safe.

At the end of the book, there is also a crafts section, a glossary, parent and teacher notes, a section on factoids, and an animal disguises quiz to check on reading comprehension.

Overall, this book did an excellent job adding just the right amount of information to appeal to readers enough to keep their interest without bogging them down with too much detail about one specific animal. The photographs provided images sufficient for allowing the reader to see some of the changes or adaptations discussed. Children who have enjoyed the other books in the Discover Science Series will not be disappointed with this one.

Though this series is meant for children within the ages of 9–12, younger children in grades K–3 will also enjoy this book. Animal lovers will be amazed at how these creatures can adapt to their environments, increasingly appreciating the diversity and ingenuity in the animal kingdom.

Reviewer Renee Hand is the award-winning author of The Crypto-Capers series for children. Look for her new release in the Crypto-Capers Series: Book 4: The Chest of Mystery.