National Geographic Readers: Great Migrations Butterflies

March 1, 2011

K-Gr 3-Dynamic full-color photographs, informative writing, and consistent organization work well together in these volumes. Identified by the publisher as "level 3" easy-to-read books, the material ties in with a National Geographic Channel TV program. Each selection has an eye-catching cover, text grouped under headings, plenty of photos that vary in size, and clear maps. Amazing Animal Journeys explains the migration patterns of zebras, red crabs, and walruses. Butterflies concentrates on migration characteristics of monarch butterflies found in the eastern United States, Canada, and Mexico. A noteworthy series of images document a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis. Elephants turns to the migration habits of African elephants, and sperm whales are the focus of Whales. Along with the many photographs, the fascinating details are supported by boxes of related information, helpful definitions of new terms, and a sprinkling of entertaining jokes/riddles. Animal silhouettes embellish the page numbers. In a few instances, photos have been repeated from volume to volume. Small pictures are a helpful accompaniment to the glossary definitions. These titles have potential as sources for reports, recreational reading for newly independent readers, and attractive browsing items to spark student interest.-Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH

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