Phil Gates

Whether kids are interested in animals, or in machines & contraptions, they'll get a kick out of exploring how dandelions are like parachutes, and how there are fish in Antarctica with anti-freeze in their blood, etc. *Lots* of examples, clearly but concisely described. I learned stuff, too - for example I had never before noted the convergent evolution of the scales of the pine cone and the pangolin.

The only quibble I have is that the book has so much information, all of which is fascinating, that the pages are a little cluttered with pictures and captions and paragraphs. A child should own this and spend time with it. It would also be good in a classroom for the kids who never remember their own books for Silent Reading - they can nibble at this all term.… (meer)