Creature Features

This book allows students to face misconceptions they may have had about animals and learn why they look the way they do. This book is a great introduction to allow students to think and process through what they believe to be true about animals and be exposed to the functions of animals' body parts and features.

Author: Steve Jenkins
Year Published: 2014
ISBN: 978-0544233515

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Prekindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

3rd Grade

Summary

Dear axolotl: Why do you have feathers growing out of your head? Axolotl: They aren't feathers—they're gills! They let me breathe underwater. Let's face it. Even as babies, we humans pay close attention to faces. Observing another person's features and expressions tells us whether they are happy, angry, excited, or sad. And when we look at an animal, it's hard not to imagine that its face is communicating human feelings. This isn't true, of course. Squinty eyes, an upturned mouth, or another odd expression is probably there because, in some way, it helps that animal survive. Packed with many cool facts and visuals on where certain animals live and what they eat, this book captures twenty-five humorous—and very true—explanations of why animals look the way they do in order to exist in this world.

Evaluation

Appropriateness: High
Authority: High
Accuracy: High
Liteary Artistry: High
Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

Yes. This book allows students to think about why animals are the way they are. It allows students to think about what they think the functions of animal parts are and see if they are congruent with what they are actually used for.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

Yes. This book encourages students to build new schema of functions of animals and think about what they believe to be true about them. It also allows students to think about their current beliefs versus what the book says and change their schema if needed.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

Yes. The science topic in this book is addressed in a very kid-friendly tone and uses student-friendly language. It introduces students to animals in a way that is comfortable for them-in letters. Every page begins with "Dear (Animal),..." which allows students to see the question posed and read the animal's answer.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

Yes. The content is accurate. The content states facts about animals that students may not have known. It also addresses misconceptions students may have had about certain animals and states what they actual function of that aspect of the animal is.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

Yes. This book states certain misconceptions students may have and states the actual fact in a clear and approachable manner. It also provides pictures of the animals so that students can see what the book is talking about if they are not familiar with that animal.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

Yes. The illustrations are very clear and accurate. The illustrations show the features on the animals and show students what the animals look like.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes. This book is written so that students can read it or be read to. The book is written in a very engaging manner as well, because it has the text written directly to the animals and it has the animals' responses.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

Yes. This book is exposing students to a variety of different animals and species. It addresses certain stereotypes about certain animals and dismantles those stereotypes with the facts.

Is the book free from gender bias?

Yes. The book does not distinguish between whether boys or girls can read it. It is open to all genders.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

Yes. This book would be a great book to use to introduce students to writing letters and responding to letters. It would be a good book to use to do a writing activity. It also can be used for science explorations and investigating and predicting what the functions of animals are.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

Yes. This book is a great introduction for students to begin to think about animals in a new way. It helps students look at animals in terms of how they are made and what they are made to do. This book helps students to form a deeper understanding of animals and their functions.