EXPLORERS: REPTILES

Two new entries expand the subject diversity of the Explorers series, marked by their short paragraphs of information, extensive index, labeled pictures and panoramic scenes. Carole Stott’s concurrently published Stars and Planets is a very generalized introduction to space, focusing on the stars, moon, planets, space travel, astronauts and robotic space technologies. This title, the stronger and more in-depth of the two, focuses on four groups of reptiles: snakes, crocodilians, lizards and turtles and tortoises. Using a wide variety of examples across the four groups, Lewellyn teaches children about reptiles’ diets, habitats, predators, defenses, adaptations, births and interactions with humans. Unfortunately, the flaws of previous titles continue in these, to varying degrees. “What is it?” thumbnails still ask readers to identify objects from their close-up views; in most cases these objects can be found in the larger artwork, although they are not named. Color-coded icons are meant to link similar topics within each book, but the connections between pages may not be immediately obvious to readers. These connections are only spelled out in detail in a section of backmatter entitled “More to explore,” where children can also learn a few more facts about each topic. Illustrations vary between stunning photographs and rather stilted-looking digital images. An OK beginning for children just discovering their individual interests. (Nonfiction. 7-10)