Joyce Ann Powzyk

The book discusses ways in which predators and prey use camouflage. It starts with an introduction of camouflage and then goes on to discuss different types like mimicry, concealing coloration, by using examples of various animals that use those mechanisms. Excellent illustrations accompany the explanations, which act as visual aids in better understanding the mechanisms. The book also includes a glossary, suggestions for further reading and scientific names of some animals.
The book can be used to introduce students to the concept of adaptations and how adaptations increase the chances of survival for different species. The accompanying colorful pictures will help grab student interest. Although the book is designed for students in 5th-7th grades, I believe that it can be used in any class to introduce the concept of camouflage.… (mehr)

This book written as a journal of the author’s experience studying lemurs and illustrated with her own watercolors. It is filled with her close observations of lemurs as well as the other rain forest plants and animals. It reads like a story but is heavily speckled with facts so that by the end, the reader knows not only lots of information about lemur species, behavior, predators, and habitat, but also has an understanding of what it is like to be a scientist in the rain forest.

Positive review from Booklist 9/15/1998

This could be used to explore what scientists do, especially in connection with the ecosystems and Africa units fourth graders do simultaneously in the spring. Also, it would be good to explore the journal format, first person perspective, and how to know it is non-fiction despite the illustrations. Overall, it would be great read aloud to tie in science and social studies content while reading engaging non-fiction text.… (mehr)