Guinea Pig » (Revised)

An introduction to the life cycle of a guinea pig from the time a tiny pup is born until, eight months later, it is fully grown and ready to start a family of its own.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3-Similar in format to the "See How They Grow" and "Stopwatch Books," these titles take a look at guinea pigs and kangaroos as they live in the wild. The texts present facts about their growth, behavior, and predators. Information about mating and birth is brief and appropriate for the intended age group. Both books have large print and full-color photographs on each page. Most of them are close-ups and help readers identify a specific behavior or physical change. Both titles conclude with a set of pictures that reinforces the stages of development, a short fact file, and a very brief index. A time line crosses the bottom of each double-page spread. While lending continuity to the concepts, the size relationships are somewhat misleading with newborn animals appearing as large as adults. In Kangaroo, the brief introduction states that 50 different species exist. Unfortunately, the one pictured is not identified. Similar information can be found elsewhere, but these books could extend collections for beginning readers.-Diane Nunn, Richard E. Byrd Elementary School, Glen Rock, NJ