Snakes »

Gail Gibbons is a master of nonfiction. The Washington Post stated that she has "taught more preschoolers and early readers about the world than any other children's writer-illustrator."

There are about 3,000 kinds of snakes. Here is information about the different functions of these cold-blooded animals' physical characteristics. One also learns how they live, how they give birth (most lay eggs, some give birth to live babies), and how they eat (they swallow their prey whole, sometimes while it is still alive). Knowing about snakes, from the most ordinary garden variety to the most exotic constrictors and poisonous snakes, is to admire and respect these extraordinary reptiles.

Children's Literature

Welcome to the world of slithering snakes. Have you ever wondered how a snake moves, how it eats, or how it catches its prey? Renowned children's author Gail Gibbons thoroughly explores every aspect of a snake's life. The book is useful and engaging. Gibbons draws readers in from page one with her captivating writing style, as shown here: "Blades of grass sway back and forth in the meadow. Something silently and slowly slithers forward. It is a snake." The well-researched book keeps readers engaged with surprising and interesting facts. The information is well-organized into easy-to-follow two page spreads. Each section has a title that is clear and informative and guides the reader into building an understanding from the facts presented. This informative and well-written book is enhanced with Gibbon's signature illustrations that are simple, yet colorful and detailed enough to be educational to the young reader. Reviewer: L. A. Gallaway