Each spread features a photograph of an animal home, a close-up of the animal, and straightforward information about the style of habitat and animal. All of the highlighted animals are ones that might be found in a deciduous forest environment, such as squirrels, black bears, and beavers. Some of the animals make their homes out of a wide variety of materials, including leaves and other forest detritus... The book could be integrated into lessons related to ecology, conservation, and biomes. VERDICT A no-nonsense introduction to animal abodes.
–Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State Univ., OH
In total, the book covers 12 animals and insects and would be useful to bring along during a camping trip, a walk through a local park, or even a walk to a favorite neighborhood tree, so that children will have the opportunity to see and perhaps interact with some of the habitats of the animals around them. Four pages of backmatter encourage further engagement with the topic. Holland also carefully introduces new vocabulary to children, folding in such words as “burrow,” “drey,” and “snag” throughout, with explanations within the text. This picture book is a pleasure to read and is sure to become the favorite of some future naturalist.
This well-written informational text will make a perfect addition to the libraries of elementary school science classrooms around the globe. The intended audience is children ages six to ten. It can be used as a resource guide or for supplemental instruction, student reports, and class projects. Youth will find some of the less ordinary facts intriguing, even mystifying.
Animal Homes teaches young children about the different homes of different animals.
Whether by digging, spinning, building or burrowing, animal homes are as varied as the animals themselves. "Animal Homes" is a perfect addition to author Mary Holland's 'Animal Anatomy and Adaptations' series for children ages 5-9. While especially recommended for family, elementary school, and community library Pets/Wildlife collections for young readers, it should be noted for personal lists that "Animal Homes" is also readily available in a paperback edition.
Each spread features an animal and information about its home. Featured animals include squirrels, woodpeckers, beavers, wasps, caterpillars, spittlebugs, bears, woodchucks, and foxes. I may have missed a couple! Mary Holland’s photos are crisp and engaging. And the back matter includes extra facts and a matching game.
Younger readers will enjoy the strong visual impact of the images and benefit from reading with an adult or older sibling. Experienced readers will find the text engaging and will discover more information in the final section titled For Creative Minds where additional discussions review the many specific ways in which animals are home builders.