April 1, 2013
K-Gr 2-While these books are brief (fewer than half of the pages contain text), they are still solid means by which the youngest researchers can learn to navigate nonfiction. The simple sentence structure and vocabulary are perfect for emergent readers, but content is not sacrificed because of the economic language (e.g., "Pygmy marmosets care for their babies. They carry newborns on their backs."). Students will learn about various monkeys' physical appearances, how they find food, their family units, and how they function in groups. In addition to the main text, the verso of each spread includes maps indicating where an animal makes its home or diagrams comparing the featured monkey's size to humans. The remarkable, large, color photographs, which correspond closely to the texts, feature monkeys in their habitats and will draw in browsers and animal-lovers alike. The "Read More" suggestions are current and the suggested websites offer projects and games as well as portals to more information. The series is a strong choice for introducing children to research and nonfiction book features.
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