Anacondas
From the Set Spot Rainforest Animals
Anacondas--long and scaly. Developing readers learn about the longest snake in the world, the anaconda, in this low-level search-and-find beginning reader. A cold-blooded predator slithers along the forest floor. The anaconda is a creature to be wary of, with its sharp fangs and wide jaw. Early readers will discover key characteristics of this reptile.
A search-and-find feature reinforces new vocabulary like prey and jaw, while close-up images of these snakes in their natural rainforest habitat captivate young audiences. A great early STEM book to inspire learning about life science for kindergartners and first graders.
SLJ Review of Spot Rainforest Animals
This companion to the “Spot Nature” series by the same publisher follows an identical format. Brief volumes open with a challenge to students to locate four pictures and their corresponding words. In this series, students are asked to find an animal’s body part or something notable about its habitat or lifestyle. Hints and visual clues guide readers to find the objects, with plenty of opportunities for review. Most feature simple sentences, including an exclamatory sentence to stimulate dramatic interest, e.g., “Wow. That snake is huge!” (Anacondas). The text includes common sight words and short- and long-vowel sounds. The series covers a broad range of rainforest creatures, whose habits, habitats, body parts, and lifestyles are explored and explained. The remarkable color photos, whose focus is frequently on the creatures’ habits and lifestyles, are sure to captivate students. VERDICT Recommended for schools and public libraries to promote STEM learning for young students. Hand to animal lovers who’ll learn a lot about some favorite creatures, and meet some new ones, too.