Mammals Books

I read this book after years of interest in the Ocean and all things therein. I had thought I read most of the published accounts of the more well-known incidents, especially here in teh U.S. This book taught me so much more was available. This is the best coverage of the New Jersey shark attacks (with photos) just now being covered in greater detail in 2 newly published books. It covers the story of an old shark fisherman, an evolution of our study of sharks and of attacks and biological data. One of the best.

First published in 1963, Shadows in the Sea has been a popular book about sharks and their relatives, the skates and rays. Thomas Allen tells what he learned from two major contributors to the book. One was Captain William Young, known as "Captain Shark Killer," the other was Mack McCormick, whose shark research is now housed in American Museum of Natural History (New York, USA). According to the author, both men had a deep abiding respect for sharks.

Thomas Allen gives an evenhanded treatment of sharks in Shadows in the Sea. The author divides his subject into four parts: sharks against humans, humans against sharks, sharks as gods or food, and sharks and their relatives as fish. He opens with the famous story of the shark attack in New Jersey in 1916, which formed the basis of the popular Jaws movies. He believes that hunting sharks does not prevent shark attacks. The wrong sharks are usually killed, and the shark population is further depleted. According to Thomas Allen, sharks have a purpose in the ocean ecosystem.

In presenting human-shark history, the author explains the painting by John Singleton Copley, "Brook Watson and the Shark" (1778). The Lord Mayor of London Watson had lost his leg to a shark. Besides including a shark on his family crest, Watson also commissioned Copley to commemorate the event. However, the beast that Copley painted was not a real shark. He imagined the shark as a huge whale possessing a large jaw of sharp teeth. Most European people at that time had little concept of what sharks actually were like.

Thomas Allen recounts how the over-killing of sharks since the 1970s spurred people to save the sharks. In 1991, the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation campaigned against annual shark fishing "derbies" in California.

(Since the "derbies" involved shooting sharks with guns and harpoons, the author refers to them as "massacres".) By 1995, the Foundation was successful in stopping the organized "derbies".

In the last half of the book, the author presents the sharks themselves, and their natural history. He writes, "Whence the Shadows? Aeons before people appeared on earth, the shark was the monarch of the primordial seas. As prehistorical era after era passed---as amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals came forth-the shark remained. The dinosaurs-Brontosaurus, Allosaurus, Triceratops, and a thousand more-stalked the earth in ponderous supremacy and vanished into extinction. But the shark lives on. Millions upon millions of years before the first precursor of man appeared, the shark began a dynasty that has remained unbroken."

In clear language, the author explains shark naming (taxonomy) and shark anatomy. After reading this book, the reader will have a greater appreciation of sharks. Thomas Allen emphasizes that sharks are to be admired and cherished for what they do. Sharks deserve a chance to be saved from extinction.

this is one of the most informative and fascinating books i have ever read. i have used it for giving speeches and for teaching. the illustrations are very interesting along with the other art works included. i must own close to a thousand books , but this is one of the very few which i read over and over.

Well, what can i say? i LOVE this book. From the first pages, an account of the "rogue shark" off New Jersey in 1916, this book is informative, exciting, and sometimes even endearing...stories of shark fisherman, attacks, and a comprehensive guide to sharks commonly found in North American oceans, i have never read a shark book that is so full of information...READ THIS BOOK!

For three weeks mommy has read it to me for bedtime because it is my favorite book in the whole wide world!

Shh! The Whale is Smiling is a wonderful bedtime story featuring a young girl comforting her younger brother. The beautiful images capture thoughts that pass through children's minds as they fall asleep. The whole story makes possibly scary situations feel gentle and soothing. This lullaby will indeed help your children at bedtime but be prepared - it is one that will be read over-and-over again! From The Science Spiders.

Author Josephine Nobisso and illustrator Maureen Hyde bring enchantment to the play of shadows and wind deep in the night in SHH! THE WHALE IS SMILING. As a fierce wind blows outside their home, a sister comforts her brother turning fear of the cold dark into a warm, safe place of imagination. Flying in their bed to the sea, they join a whale swimming among bubbles in a world of their marvelous creation.

The fear of the dark, wind and storms is gently confronted in this imaginative story for children. The dark becomes deep water, movement the swimming of a whale, and wind a part of the mystery of the sea, thereby replacing the fearful with the imaginative. A delightful tale, with fabulously realized illustrations, SHH! THE WHALE IS SMILING comes very highly recommended.

As the wind begins to blow upon a sleeping house, a little girl lights a candle and travels down the hall to her little brother's room to comfort him during the storm. She quietly holds him and sends them both on a journey to the sea to meet and swim with a whale. And as her story delights and distracts him from the storm, he relaxes and falls back to sleep, knowing he's not alone..... Josephine Nobisso has written a very gentle and expressive picture book, told in soft, vivid language, that will charm and calm all pre-schoolers. While listening to the story, Maureen Hyde's beautiful and very detailed artwork will entrance youngsters as their own imaginations take them on this wonderful adventure with an amazing sea creature. Shh! The Whale is Smiling is the perfect bedtime story your little ones will want to hear night after night and a great addition to all home libraries.

If you love Pandas , this is the book to get. It is very detailed and well worth you time. You won't regret it!

What I really liked about this book is how it's completely accessible for all ages. It's not dumbed down for younger readers, yet it doesn't pander to more mature readers, either. It presents facts, figures and other related information in such a way that anybody could learn from this read.

This book is also one heck of a coffee table book, the perfect gift for anyone you might know who loves panda bears. The photographs are breath-taking, showcasing this beautiful creature in its natural habitat as well as in zoos. There are also some telling photos of pandas in their youngest form. All exquisite and mind-blowing in their individual beauty.

A beautiful cocktail table book full of beautiful photos of China and Pandas. The book's strengths lies in its accurate portrayal of giant panda conservation work in China, i.e. "muddy boots" conservationist work. The book surprisingly covers very little about the giant panda research at zoos and focuses mainly on conservation field work in China. The book also goes at length to describe the giant pandas genetic classification (genus) with respect to carnivora ( especially wrt raccoons and bears , see page 33-54 ). Most notable about the book is its assertion that there were originally two types of giant panda (a) tropical/warm climate giant panda ( Ailuropoda microta , extinct smaller version of the giant panda whose fossilized remains were found in caves at Lang Trang, Vietnam - see pages 51-54 ) and (b) a mountain/cold climate giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca, the modern giant panda ). The authors describes the giant panda as an ecological umbrella which is shared by people, other animals, and fauna. (p.93--153). While extensively referenced and researched, the book is not footnoted and lacks the rigorous presentation of data and analysis to be defined as a scientific work. Micheal Kiefer, Chris Catton and Schaller have provided better historical outline man's interaction with the giant pandas. The freshest part of this book is the coverage on the introduction of environmentally-sustainable/friendly human economies like the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR, see p. 153) and the conservation effort in China to gain the local support in China to protect wildlife and the environment.

Finally, an up-to-date, photo-studded book on giant pandas by experts who know the subject inside and out. There's plenty of media attention on this unique endangered species but this book gives background, context, and depth lacking in most magazine and newspaper articles. If you want to settle in and take an armchair trip into the world of the elusive giant panda, get this book.

these books are the very best if you want accuracy,i plan to have the entire collection of them by years end.

I looked for this kind of book my whole life, I think. It includes all the less-known species that most books avoid because they are "too exotic", such as olingo, but also the species found in familiar areas around home (wood mice, water vole), so you can see that your region is an important part of the world.
For a book of this size, it basically has everything in it. Of course, volumes can be told about each of the species, but this is the most comprehensive work on mammals of the world, packed into a medium-sized volume, that I have ever seen.

While this book is certainly not comprehensive (especially in regards to the rodents and bats), it has hundreds of crisp, clear photos. The descriptions for each species is brief, but there are still many interesting facts to learn from the text.
I bought this book mainly for its value as a photographic reference (I'm a visual artist) and becaus I particularly love small mammals and this book has plenty of animals that even I wasn't totally familiar with.
My only complaint about this book is the sort of briefness of it; I honestly think they could have squeezed in a few more species, but they did manage to get most of the important ones, and I believe all of the families are at least represented.
This is a great book for both kids who like to look at pictures and learn about animals and for adults who appreciate the wonders of nature.

I highly recommend this book as a photo-encyclopedic guide to mammals for children, students and adults who have a general interest in mammals. My review for this book is based on its use as an educational reference guide, not as a guide that one would carry with them out in the field. (It might be suitable for that use, but I am not qualified to review it in that manner.) We use this guide with our son, and I have given it as a gift to children interested in mammals, after looking at all of the top mammal guides listed on Amazon and in Borders.

The key selling point for me is the 1000+ close-up color pictures of more than 450 species in the handbook. Every entry has at least one picture. The text is concise and informative. The book starts with informative introductory sections with excellent explanatory text and photos on "What is a Mammal", "Evolution", "Diversity", "Anatomy", "Reproduction", "Social Groups", "Sense and Communication", "Locomotion", "Feeding", "Desert Mammals", "Grassland Mammals", "Forest Mammals", "Polar and Mountain Mammals", "Aquatic Mammals", "Watching Mammals", "Threatened Mammals","Conservation", "Mammals and Humans", and "Classification"

The book covers the 21 different orders that make up the class Mammalia. Within each of these orders, individual species entries are arranged according to the family they belong to. Each entry includes the following information: scientific family name, scientific name of species, common name of species, common name of order, current population status of species in the wild, map of area or areas where species may be found, food eaten by species, average number of young, gestation period, social grouping of species, details of appearance and behavior, body size, tail length, weight in imperial and metric units, information on distribution and habits, photograph of species with annotations pointing out specific features.

The book is engaging, easy to use, and captivates the user. It will satisfy the mammal enthusiast and provide many hours of exploration. Having looked at all the other top name brand guides, I think that a hobbyist or mammal tracker might find it a bit glitzy, as opposed to a detailed field guide. But it certainly deserves a place on the shelf for mammals enthusiasts. It is suitable for young children (who can flip through, find a picture, and have the information read to them), students and adults.

What a wonderful story! Emily's adventures with Smokey are both chaotic and humorous. The relationship that develops between Emily and Smokey is very sweet and touching. The illustrations are lovely. Just as I have enjoyed sharing this book with my own children, I will look forward to sharing it with my future grandchildren!

This is a wonderful story that leaves one recalling their own memories of chidhood days and puts a smile on your face thinking about how much fun it must have been to have such a uniquely different friend. I thought the writer did an excellent job of drawing the reader right into the experience as well as describing the friendship with such love and compassion. I have 3 boys and they love to hear about Smokey and all the mischief he created! This is an enjoyable story for any age and I just wish I could say I had the experiences that Emily had! I look forward to reading more books by this author!

Everyone should have a copy of Smokey the Racoon in their home. It's a beautifully illustrated true story of a young girl and her pet racoon, Smokey, and Smokey gets into enough trouble to involve the whole family! I'm a grandmother, and I truly enjoyed reading about Smokey's antics to my granddaughter. My favorite part of the story is the telling of Smokey's fall into the mother's bathwater, and the trouble that he gets into as a result of that will give everyone a good laugh. My granddaughter and I had many hearty chuckles as I read and she listened to the story, and she also has her own favorite antic.

We have five grandchildren and we gave each one a copy for a keepsake and they really enjoyed reading it and those that couldn't enjoyed looking at the pictures. We as grandparents appreciate books for children that are easy to read and hold their attention.

"Summer of the Skunks" is a funny story about family told through the eyes of ten-year-old Jill. Jill wants so badly to be part of anything her fourteen-year-old brother does. She use to be his shadow but, this summer he doesn't want her hanging around as much. So, when her brother,Calvin, comes up with a plan to get rid of the family of skunks who have taken residence under their house, Jill is extatic. This is one of many plans (from finding a place for an old family friend to live, to getting rid of a dead beat cousin who's worn out his welcome) Calvin comes up with that summer which include her and their sixteen-year-old sister, Margo. It seems that Jill spends most of this summer trying to get thier attention, and feels pretty special when they ask her to do anything.

This is a nice, wholesome story I think kids would enjoy reading. The entire story takes place on their farm and there is enough humor and adventure to keep anybody reading. The characters are very likeable, especially Jill. It is so easy to connect with her right away, particularly if you are one of the yungest of several siblings.

So, what happens to the skunks? Does their plan to get rid of Old Retread work? Who is Rabies and what happens to him? "Summer of the Skunks" is worth reading to find out.

Summer is off to an unusual start for Jill and her family when a family of skunks begin living under their house! Forced to be quiet so they won't disturb them, Jill's family can't argue as they usually do. Jill's dad, a factory foreman, has been very busy at work, and her mom has been doing all of the housework, in addition to watching Jill's little brother. Then one day, Jill's older brother Calvin comes up with a plan to help Jill and sister Margo get rid of the skunks. The plan is successful, though they keep one of the skunks and name it Rabies.

Getting rid of skunks isn't the only adventure they'll have this summer. When they learn that one of their father's friends almost burns a renter house down, they devise a plan to secretly let him live on an old ship that they have in their backyard. Everything is fine until, one day, a relative comes to visit and he becomes very annoying. Jill then comes up with a plan to make him leave. Will the plan work, or will they have to put up with him until he leaves on his own?

Calvin and Margo's personalities remind me of my own personality because I can sometimes be secretive and bossy towards people. Who do the characters remind you of? If you like reading books about families and animals, read this book to find out what happens to Jill and her family!

--- Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub

Summer of the Skunks draws the reader into the lives of a family forced out of its normal patterns by the presence of another family, a mama skunk and her babies who move in under the house. This deceptively simple story told by 10-year-old Jill trembles with undercurrents. It's as riveting as watching the bubble of surface tension on top of a glass of clear water.

Wilmoth Foreman pulls the reader right into the warm family dynamics from the first emergency, the discovery of skunks under the house, to the ultimate resolution of joint efforts for the protection and rehabilitation of an alcoholic friend and, finally, one descented pet skunk.

The author vividly presents each of the four children accurately re their natural sibling competition and developmental stages. The voice of Jill is both compelling and sage as she reflects on her low station compared to her more experienced older sister and brother. Her deductions and reports remind this reader of Bailie White's stories of southern rural living. Foreman's agility and ability to write voice and character are in the best southern tradition and extend beyond to caring families of any region.

I first read this book in a gift shop at the San Diego Zoo. The message is even more potent because the story is true. This book is the well-done, beautifully illustrated story of bringing the American Buffalo back from the brink of extinction. The story is engaging without being "preachy." There's a lesson for the future here, too. As a third grade teacher, I'm planning on using this book in the classroom to reinforce the idea that human beings share the planet with other living creatures.

I have been reading this to our reading buddy class of third graders now for a few years... I first read it at our local library and choked up. It is good for lots of academic reasons but is also engaging and has an unusual style and amazing illustrations.

No other animal represents the American frontier like the American Bison. To Native Americans he was a spirit messenger, sacred to their very existence. To them and frontiersmen alike the thundering, shaggy beasts represented food, clothing, shelter and fuel. And in a larger sense the massive herds represented the spirit of freedom in a new and untouched land.

In They Came from the Bronx, Neil Waldman recounts the fascinating tale of how this quintessential American animal was brought back from extinction.

Waldman speaks of the Bronx Zoo's "Mother Herd," and his curiosity as a child with the name. How could a captive herd of bison in the largest American metropolis, so far from the wide-open spaces of the Great Plains, claim such a title?

Waldman's story weaves an eloquent account beginning in Oklahoma, stepping back to New York City in the early Nineteen hundreds, offers historical facts about the bison's prairie reign and then it's back to Oklahoma where a Comanche grandmother and her grandson await a most improbable reunion.

They Came from the Bronx is technically a children's book but will appeal to children of all ages, from one to ninety-three, if you will. Beautifully illustrated and written, the book speaks volumes about the tragedy of man's irresponsible exploitation of wildlife but also offers a ray of hope that once mistakes are made and recognized, if we are careful and responsible, they can and should be rectified.

Douglas McAllister

I loved the poignant conversation between the old woman and her grandson. Her explanation of the disappearance of the buffalo builds to a very dramatic climax, that make us realize the seriousness of our country's past decisions. I reccommend this highly to anyone who cares about our past and future!

This book has lovely colorful illustrations that easily catch the attention of the reader and small listener. By looking closely at the illustrations there are subtle humorous finds that add to the written content. The larger size of the book makes it easier to hold during reading for an adult or a child. This book is a wonderful addition to any classroom or childs collection.

"Some children like cats. Some children like dogs. I like moose." Young, red-headed Molly declaration is somewhat of an understatement, as her bedroom contains a Moose - "Next 3 Miles" sign, a moose clock, moose slippers, moose bookends bracketing a shelf of moose books (including "Moose or Mooses?") and even a cactus resembling moose antlers!

When Molly's parents take her to Alaska to see some moose, she can't find anything but....a goose! The goose say the moose are on vacation in the city: "And Mr. Goose was right. My moose were in the city-our city! Hundreds and thousands of moose!" They're walking into the natural history museum, buying postcards, shopping, and eating at fine restaurants! Within just six pages, Fiona Robinson establishes an imaginative, witty, lively story, that is is so appealingly zany that you want to believe it. Molly takes three moose (or is that mooses?) home: Monty...Munroe...Milligan..." They complain a bit and they snore, but they also play a wicked game of broom hockey, are whizzes in the kitchen, and use their antlers in many helpful ways (winding wool and drying clothes among them).. Robinson depicts all this in large, big-hearted, whimsical pictures, and writes a fun, surprise last section in which the moose-who had heard the call of the wild and returned home-- drop by (via parachute) for Molly's birthday party. She LOVES moose, and you and your young audience will love this witty, enchanting moose-capade.

Excellent Illustrations in a picture book about a little girl who loves moose.

Very warm and funny story with plenty of visual humor and beautiful illustrations which remind me of the best classic 50's children's books - very nicely presented in a top quality printing. Bravo!

I have an 8 year old granddaughter and a 3 year old granddaughter. This book is perfect for the older one to read to the younger one. They both like it as much as Grandma does. The illustrations are colorful and the story is just right.

This is a really special book for children. The colors are brilliant, the figures well drawn and the words flow very well. The story is not deep, but ideal for 2-4 year olds. Frank the Coyote, obviously, lives way out west, has coyote friends and meets other animals along the way. Frank teaches that it's ok to be alone sometimes and the joy of being with friends. Unlike some children's books, you won't get tired of Frank the Coyote and your children won't either. I highly recommend this book for parents of young children.

My daughter brought this book to her preschool "Show and Share". Approximately 10 of the twelve parents in the class asked me where they could buy this book, because their child came home raving about "Way Out West Lives a Coyote Named Frank." In addition, it teaches a small lesson: that it is okay to sometimes want to play by themselves.

We purchased this book when visiting Grandparents in Tucson. My two year old really enjoys this story about Coyote Frank and his friends. The illustrations in this book are full of saguaro cactuses and animals that are found in the Sonoran Desert. We enjoy looking at the illustrations and remembering our visits to Grandmas house.

I enjoyed reading about the adventures of those weasel brothers. It reminded me of things we did as kids. It also reminded me of some of lifes lessons, and how they are learned. I think that children can relate to some of the confusion that they face and how they resolve it,with of course the encouragement of the weasel moms and dads of the burrough. Hey, can weasels wag their tails,(the ones thath have them) I thought I saw a weasel wink at me. I hope that this is not the last adventure the weasel brothers get up to.

The book was excellent mainly for two very good reasons. One, it reminded me of my youth and all the crazy, but innocent things siblings do to eachother. It also sparks the idea that deep down we still do crazy things or at least we should. It is also a reminder that we as adults need to play more. Secondly, as I read the book to my five year old neice she just giggled and giggled. The sound of a childs giggle is good medicine for both of us. In one sitting I had to read it to her three times and got the same result each time! The book created a pleasant memory for her, two weeks time had passed since reading the book and she still commented and laughed about it without rereading it. Spending quality time with children is very important, this book holds the interest of the child, thus it is an excellent tool for we adults, who at times, lack the creativity to hold their attention on our own!

The book is amusing for both children and adults alike. The context is pure, honest and simple. For we adults it awakens our childhood memories and inspires us to share our own stories with our children. The story is real life stuff and allows us to find humor in the things, that at the moment may not have been so amusing, like coating your brother or sister with syrup. As children we secretly laughed about those times and as adults we openly talk about them. The book brings out into the open, those little mischeivous secrets that we all have, child and adult alike. I enjoy reading books to my neice and this book in particular has left a lasting impression. My five year old niece and I laugh about it's context everytime we see eachother, we discuss parts of the book in detail. It has helped create yet another special bond between us, child and adult, a gift more precious than anything.

My family thoroughly enjoys reading the book, One Too Many Weasels. I like the lesson it teaches about accepting new people by appreciating their differences. This lesson is valuable in growing families and children's first experiences at school. My children like the descriptions of situations familiar to them; riding bikes, "spooky closets", hanging from trees, and wrestling with Dad, to mention a few. All of us enjoy the beautiful illustrations! The pictures are both an amusing and colorful supplement to the story. I'm sure you and your little weasels will enjoy this wonderful story too.