  | Odd bods : the world's unusual animals Author: Murphy, Julie | |
| Price: $25.18 | ||
Summary:
Long snouts, bright-red lips, pointy heads ... the animal kingdom is full of critters with unique features. Learn about the incredible adaptations that help these creatures--and their odd bods--survive and thrive all around the globe!
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (01/01/21)
School Library Journal (02/01/21)
Booklist (02/01/21)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 02/01/2021 While humans may bemoan their pointy, knobby, or flabby body parts, some animals use these attributes to great advantage, from finding food to avoiding predators to surviving extreme weather conditions. In this informational picture book, author and zoologist Murphy introduces 11 animals with “odd bods” from around the world through double-page spreads with large text and a colorful, full-page photograph of the animal in its natural environment. Bolded text also highlights the animal’s name and the benefit of its distinctive feature. For instance, if you’re a thorn bug that lives on a prickly plant, “a sharp spike can help you hide!” Other animals, like the naked mole rat, use their unusually big teeth to dig underground burrows, while the bright mouth of the red-lipped batfish signals potential mates in the dim light of the seafloor. A concluding section provides more information about each animal, including its classification, size, life span, conservation status, and a fun fact. A map depicts the animals’ range. High-interest content and visuals will appeal to reluctant readers and animal lovers alike. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 02/01/2021 Gr 1–3—This title clearly explains how different animal adaptations (such as having a sharp spike, a broad snout, or an extra-long middle finger) help animals survive. Large, colorful photos of each animal and an explanation of how the adaptation is useful are included. The back matter contains additional information, a map showing where each animal lives, and references to consult for further research. However, the back matter, titled "More Odd Facts," contains facts about the spotlighted animals, but there is a lack of accompanying photos that would make it easy for a child to connect this material with the information described in the main text. VERDICT This book provides plenty of information about animal adaptations and how these adaptations help the animals survive.—Myra Zarnowski, City Univ. of New York - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
