Reviews

Animal Skins


Kirkus Reviews - May 2019

As in the whole Animal Anatomy and Adaptations series, the close-ups of the creatures are the big draw. Highlights are the frog peeking out of the water and the close-up of a fluffed-up bluejay amid falling snow. Backmatter includes some matching activities and more information. A solid addition to the series and a great compare/contrast exercise for classrooms.

School Library Journal - July 2019

Skins, feathers, scales, hair, fur, and wings are all included in this wide-ranging look at the outer coverings of living things. Some pages focus on a class of creature: "Instead of hairs, birds have feathers. Feathers do lots of things—help a bird fly, attract a mate and keep warm." Other pages highlight a particular species. Full-page photos, some double-spread, accompany each topic. The crisp photos show great detail, not only of each animal's outer covering but also its face and eyes. Some pages have overlaid text, but generally, the text is on plain white pages facing the appropriate photo. The same size font is used throughout the book and is presented simply, without boxes or inserts. Back matter includes four pages of related learning activities and additional information.

Midwest Book Review - November 2019

Beautifully illustrated throughout with full color photography and fully endorsed for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Pets/Wildlife collections for children ages 4-8.

Seattle Book Review - February 2020

Author Mary Holland has quite a franchise going with her books: Animal Eyes, Animal Mouths, Animal Ears, and more. This is a great addition. Her text is well-researched and full of fun and interesting facts. Each spread has a full-page, close-up color photo of the animal being discussed. Youngsters will be enthralled with the photos and the well-written text. Back-matter has even more facts and even a fun quiz to continue the learning.

Book Pleasures by Conny Withay - September 2019

What makes this book fun is not only the full-page, full-color photographs and explanation of skin coverings but also the informational data at the end for older readers. A child will enjoy viewing the animals and insects that show the skin and skin covering differences between species.

Reader Views Kids - March 2020

I like this book because I got to learn about lots of different animals. I already knew some of the information in the book, but I also learned a lot of new things, too. The pictures of the animals are pretty and fun to look at. I like the extra activities in the back of the book to help me learn more about what I just read. I think kids of all ages will like this book.

Outnumbered 3 to 1 - September 2019

The book is FILLED with gorgeous photography, large font and simple language making these PERFECT for ages 5-9. My girls get giddy with excitement when Arbordale books arrive because they are always so much fun to read and look at.

Heck of a Bunch - October 2019

With realistic photos of what skin look like from a variance of animals, Animal Skins educates young readers on the function of skin and how they benefit different animals. For instance, readers learn that a young deer (or fawn) have no scent for the first few days after they are born. Their white spots also help them blend in to the woods and fields so they won't be noticed.. Other animals and critters featured include skunks, birds, porcupines, and more.

CLEAR Book Reviews - December 2019

An introduction to scales, feathers, shells, hair, and skin and what role they play for animals. The large, page-sized photographs are high-quality and are paired with readable, simple text. A section at the end called “For Creative Minds” helps to solidify what was learned.

Chat With Vera - January 2020

I have had the opportunity to visit the California coastal area and have seen the magnificent Redwood trees. Awed by their majesty and age yet unaware that in those vaulted treetops lived another forest. The Forest in the Trees is enlightening, and furthermore it makes my heart awestruck by the sheer wonder of it all.

The text is written in a "This is the house that Jack built" rhyming style with repetitive lines building toward the climax. The illustrations are beautiful. The factoids are placed in separate boxes on the side of the page with text and illustration to accompany that fact.

I, personally, learned so much from this book and know that teachers will love introducing it to their students who will love to read or peruse it at their own leisure.

Reviews by Rachel - March 2020

Animals are such amazing creatures. Each part of them is designed to help them out during their lifetime. “Animal Skins “, written by Mary Holland and published by Arbordale is a great way for creative minds to learn. In the book, readers will discover numerous details about animals and their skins as well as play an educational matching game.