Eyewitness Book: Mammals by Steve Parker. I love these books. They are great for all ages and include so much information and interesting pictures, diagrams and drawings. This one is all about mammels, which there are about 4000 species of them, us included. The book notes that mammals have fur/hair, are warm blooded and feed their young milk. The books explores the world of mammals showing what they look like, their body structure, evolution, breeding habits and their behavior. Did you know that mammals first apppeared on the earth 230 million years ago?

Full-color photos. Mammal looks at evolution; contrasts fur-coated and spiny-covered mammals; and studies birth and development, habitations, and grooming practices of members of this animal classification.

Media: infographics.
Use: learn about humans and other mammals.
Genre: informational.

Learn about mammals of all sorts and how they relate to each other. Fascinating to think about.Very detailed, finite, and engaging for young aged children. ( )

This book gives an excellent overview of the mammal world. The different orders of mammals are shown as well as when they appeared , and how they evolved. The book presents and provides explanations about different aspects of mammals such as fur, defense mechanisms (spines, camouflage, horns, scales, etc.), use of tails, and differences in locomotion. Differences in gestation, birth, and feeding of young are treated for a variety of mammals like marsupials, mice, cats and egg-laying mammals, and expanded to general mammalian characteristics in that domain. The characteristics and uses of mammal play when growing up are explained. Other important daily activities such as keeping clean, and different ways of behaving with food and feeding are also presented. The variety in the “architecture” of the homes of mammals is shown from squirrel nests to mole burrows. Finally, children are shown how to recognize certain types of mammals based on their tracks, droppings, and other clues they may leave behind. Noteworthy facts, questions and answers, a glossary and index are provided at the end.

The book is full of beautiful color photographs and illustrations of a wide variety of mammals and the characteristics being discussed. The text is easy to understand, and the presentation is clear and well-organized. Many side-notes and observations encourage young readers to make connections with humans and animals they may be familiar with. Recommended for a first approach to the mammal world. Grades 3 and up. ( )

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