Kirkus Reviews QR Code
ZOOLOGY FOR KIDS by Josh Hestermann

ZOOLOGY FOR KIDS

Understanding and Working With Animals, With 21 Activities

by Josh Hestermann ; Bethanie Hestermann

Pub Date: March 1st, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-61374-961-6
Publisher: Chicago Review Press

A pair of enthusiastic animal lovers provide a comprehensive introduction to zoology, a description of potential careers and suggestions for hands-on activities for learning or practicing.

This useful title begins with an in-depth look at the basics of the study of animal life: animal forms and functions, animal behavior, and the relation of animals to their environments. The second section describes the many different roles animal lovers can play: as workers (and even volunteers) in zoos and aquariums, veterinarians, wildlife researchers and “conservation warriors.” The accompanying activities are appropriate for middle school students alone or in groups. They include baking an edible “animal cell” and making a salad from fruits commonly pollinated by bats, molding tiger teeth, making a stethoscope and taking vital signs, and playing various games. The extensive text, though a bit daunting at first, reads smoothly and often directly addresses the audience. It’s broken up and made to look more accessible with plentiful pictures (a wide range of animals and animal workers) and text boxes. Some of these breakout sections discuss zoological concepts such as metamorphosis and animal classification, while others introduce figures in the history of animal study, from Aristotle to the chief scientist at Polar Bears International, and still others describe particular animal encounters.

A convincing invitation to the wide world of working with animals.

(glossary, resources, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 11-15)