Merebeth Switzer

Another two-in-one book. Has a list of questions for the table of contents, each page discusses a different aspect of the animals’ mode of life, behavior and physiology. Easy to read, friendly text. Glossary of more advanced (for kids) terms in the back, and an index. Lots of photographs, quite nice. And the chipmunks are so cute! Things I learned: chipmunks will sometimes eat caterpillars (in spring, when their food stores have run low). Chipmunks have stripes on the face, whereas striped show more ground squirrels (sometimes confused for them) do not. They groom their fur with tongue and paws, just like the squirrels do, but also like to take dust baths, as a bird does. Some types of chipmunk build a summer nest in a tree- it looks like a spherical bird’s nest. I’ve never seen one- it’s usually Western chipmunks that do this. Baby chipmunks are called pups. They’re ready to leave the nest and learn skills for independence at just ten weeks old. Of course there are a lot more facts about these endearing little animals in the book, but I’m just sharing what was new to me.

The second half of this book is about beavers. Follows the same format as the first. Things I learned: there is a Native American legend about beavers helping to build the earth. They sure do have a reputation for being industrious! Their urge to build is triggered by the sound of trickling water. There are beavers in Europe and Asia, as well as North America. Beavers can’t see in the dark, but they can see underwater very well, with a special see-through lid that covers their eyes. They can hold their breath for ten minutes. Beavers store food underwater for the winter. If their pond freezes solid and they can’t access the stored branches, they will eat the inner walls of their house! And rebuild later. I always had thought that beavers move branches and logs mainly by carrying in the mouth or dragging. But this book tells me that if a log is too large, two beavers will work together, rolling it with their front paws. Not all beavers build lodges. If the banks of their pond are tall enough, they might just dig a burrow into the soil. Young beavers stay with their parents in their second year and help raise the newest members of the family. Then they move out on their own- sometimes needing encouragement from the parents to go.

Both books in this volume have 48 pages, total of 96. Originally published in 1985, my edition is updated from 1996. show less

It was a good detailed book about flamingos. It gave simple facts to comprehend for children to understand. It was very informational and knowledgeable.

ECS

2 in 1 Book - Part of a multi volume series