Part of a series of Usborne Internet-Linked Library of Science books, Animal World introduces children to animal biology through appealing photos and illustrations, readable text, and links to web sites for further exploration. This resource features attractive illustrations and photos that nicely support the concise text and help to build a child's interest in the subject.
Chapters include such topics as animal cells, feeding, life cycles, ecology, classification, and more. There are twenty topics altogether, each covered on either two- or four-page spreads. Some topics include a "See For Yourself" box in which suggested activities and experiments allow kids to explore animal biology on their own.
A powerful feature of the book is its well-integrated Internet links. Animal World points young readers to over 100 handpicked web sites that offer kids a chance to expand on the information presented in the book, either through webcams, virtual tours, experiments, activities, or further reading on specific topics. After reading about Teeth and Digestion, for example, kids can follow a link to a web site where they can examine the teeth of various animals by way of an inspection of their skulls. Thankfully, all of these links are compiled on the QuickLinks page at Usborne's web site. This makes accessing the links easier and eliminates the problems that can arise when web addresses are mistyped. Also available at the publisher's web site are free downloadable images from the book. These are ready to download and use in school reports and projects. Of course, due to the changeable nature of the Internet, some links in the book are likely to become outdated. Use of the Quicklinks page, where regular updates are promised, should eliminate this concern.
The layout of this 64-page book is very pleasing, and the presentation is well-organized. Compelling photographs, illustrations, and charts are plentiful and arranged so that the text is presented in small chunks. This helps make the book more inviting, and the text manageable. Near the back of the book, a Facts and Lists page sums up some key terms, gestation periods and lifespans of various animals, endangered animal facts, and lists of useful web sites. A page of multiple choice questions with references to the pages in the book where kids can find the answers is also here. An A-Z of scientific terms is included, along with a full index.
Though you won't find in-depth coverage of individual topics in the book, it makes an excellent starting point for children's research—whether kids are hunting for a topic for their next school project, looking for a summary of a particular topic, or in need of relevant links to websites for further exploration. The Internet links, See For Yourself activity boxes, and self-test page each contribute to a book that invites research and exploration. Interested readers might find that Animal World is not only a reference book, but it actually gives them a nudge toward further study of the subject. Its well-integrated Internet links keep the book contemporary and relevant for today's children, whose research efforts generally involve referring to both hard-copy and Internet-based information.
Kids don't necessarily need to be Internet-connected in order to benefit from this reference book. However, those that do peruse of the book's web links will find the experience rich and rewarding.
Other books in this Internet-Linked Library of Science series include Earth and Space, Human Body, World of Plants, Light, Sound and Electricity, Energy, Forces, and Motion, and more.
