Toucans
From the Set Spot Rainforest Animals
Toucans--bright billed birds of the rainforest. Developing readers learn about this loud tropical bird in this low-level search-and-find beginning reader. Toucans are known for their dark feathers and bright bills. They eat fruit and even though they're birds, they're not able to fly very well. Early readers will discover key characteristics of this colorful bird.
A search-and-find feature reinforces new vocabulary like roosting tree and nest, while close-up images of toucans 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.