Mammals (National Audubon Society First Field Guide) - Hardcover

What is a mammal? You'll know the answer after reading the introductory section of this excellent guide. You'll also know what you need to study our warm-blooded cousins--where they live, what they eat, how they reproduce, and what a caribou has in common with a gray whale. Once you've got your basic mammalogy down, you can start looking for the mammals shown in the book's field identification section in the mountains, in ponds and streams, and in your own backyard. Major types of North American mammals are included, from pronghorn antelope to long-tailed weasels, Virginia opossum to West Indian manatee. A reference section defines terms and offers more resources about mammals, and a waterproof spotting card tucked in the back is great for rainy days. Like all the guides in this series (Wildflowers, Insects, Birds, Rocks and Minerals, and Weather), this First Field Guide to mammals is a great family resource, perfect for kids and adults. (Ages 8 and up). --Therese Littleton

Grade 4-8-Colorful, attractive, and comfortable to hold, these field guides will be welcomed by those who delight in crisp, color photos and snippets of information presented in tidy chapters. Mammals is arranged so "look-alikes" appear together, such as the common raccoon teamed with the similar ringtail and white-nosed coati. Thumbnail-sized range maps are included, as are drawings of the animals' tracks. Weather includes facts on a wide variety of phenomena, from the expected spectrum of clouds and fronts to the more unusual dust devils and green flash. In both, the texts are occasionally printed over photo images, making them difficult to decipher. Each book has a glossary, a list of further readings (quite excellent in Weather), pertinent videos and discs, related Web sites, and organizations to contact for additional data. Both are indexed, though the index in Weather is somewhat brief. Well organized, eye-catching, and informative, these volumes are sure to capture the popularity long enjoyed by the "Golden Guide" series (Golden).
Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.