ALA Booklist (Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2000)

%% This is a multi-book review: SEE also the title What the Moon Is Like. %% Gr. 13, younger for reading aloud. Both of these previously published titles in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series are updated with attractive new illustrations and a picture-book format. Branley's book, for primary-grade children, invites readers simply to observe the moon from Earth before it delves into facts: do we see a man on the moon, a rabbit, or Jack and Jill? The following pages, all illustrated with clear, colorful pictures of astronauts and the lunar landscape, explore the moon's actual surface, climate, and temperature; briefly discuss lunar landings (with a map); and draw comparisons between the moon and Earth. Starfish for a slightly younger audience, delivers simple facts about the sea creature in repetitive, sometimes poetic language and gorgeous painted-collage illustrations of underwater life. Both books close with a page of additional facts, resources, and a craft suggestion. Excellent offerings for young ones beginning to read nonfiction. (Reviewed June 1 & 15, 2000)

Horn Book (Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2000)

Brickman has done startling new cut-paper collage illustrations for Hurd's beginning-reader book on starfish. Watercolor washes, marbling techniques, and shocking colors portray the starfish in all their chromatic glory, while the simple text points out their intrinsic oddities, such as the fact that they can regrow lost limbs.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-This updated version has retained most of the text and all of the poetry of the original (HarperCollins, 1962; o.p.). The starfish is referred to as "it," instead of "he"; the words "crawl" and "pull" have replaced "hump" to describe how a starfish attacks a clam; and the arrangement has been slightly altered for a more logical flow of ideas. The variety of starfish that one might encounter, their life cycle, and how they eat and grow are all included. The most compelling reason to replace your older edition is the beauty of Brickman's illustrations. Lovely cut-paper collages placed on multicolored, watercolor ocean backgrounds make this easy-to-read title a treat for the eye.-Eunice Weech, M. L. King Elementary School, Urbana, IL Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.