International Wildlife Encyclopedia

Written by experts, this updated and revised edition of the International Wildlife Encyclopedia is aimed at students and general readers. All forms of world wildlife are covered--insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Although most of the entries deal with individual species, "guidepost" articles, new to this edition, discuss animals such as apes or owls as a group. "Fact file" boxes, color-coded according to whether an animal is a mammal, reptile, and so on, provide a summary of the important characteristics of the animal or group of animals; in addition, a color range map is usually included.

Eye-catching color photographs illustrate each entry and should serve to entice the reader to learn more about the animal. Examples of photographs include an archerfish spitting a stream of water at a spider, a flying squirrel gliding through the air, a close-up of the head of a housefly, and a clouded leopard camouflaged in the forest. The 1,200 well-written articles, ranging from about two to four pages in length, are arranged in alphabetical order by the animal's most common English name. Cross-references help pull related material together; for example, the guidepost article Owls is cross-referenced to entries on particular owl species, such as the barn owl and the snowy owl. Also helpful is the comprehensive general index in the last volume of the set. In addition to the general index, there are separate indexes to animal behaviors, places, scientific names, and common names. A glossary and bibliography as well as listings of Internet resources, resources for younger readers, wildlife refuges, and wildlife conservation organizations are provided in the last volume.

This encyclopedia provides a good introduction to the wildlife of the world. The combination of familiar and uncommon species, extensive color illustrations, and informative text should provide material for many school reports. It is particularly recommended for school and public libraries. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Grade 6 Up-This vibrant revision treats readers to an informative, exhaustive, and intimate examination of the habits, behaviors, and lifestyle of "species from every branch of the animal world, every region of earth's landmasses and all oceans." Approximately 1200 accessible and well-researched single to multipage entries, arranged in alphabetical order by creatures' common name, lucidly and accurately discuss the anatomy, size, diet, habitat, breeding habits, and distinctive features of a diversity of animals. Each updated article also includes useful data boxes that offer information about each animal-scientific classification, length, weight, status, etc. Fifteen new articles on the world's major biomes and habitats describe their climate, outstanding physical characteristics, native plant and animal life, conservation issues, and worldwide distribution. Thirty-plus "guidepost entries" offer supplementary material about selected groups of related animals-apes, deer, whales, to name a few. The wealth of new illustrative matter, consisting of beautifully composed color photographs, is instructive and relevant. Color maps, another addition to the edition, depict the population and range of the species. The index volume lists species by common name, scientific name, and geographic region. An "Index of Animal Behaviors" is user-friendly. A visual and verbal feast.
Hillary Jan Donitz-Goldstein, New York Public Library
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.