GOLDISH, Meish Little Newts maps. ISBN 978-1-936087-38-9 . LC 2009044166. GOLDISH, Meish Slimy Salamanders map. ISBN 978-1-936087-37-2 . LC 2009035941. GOLDISH, Meish Warty Toads map. ISBN 978-1-936087-36-5 . LC 2009031866. LUNIS, Natalie Tricky Tree Frogs map. ISBN 978-1-936087-33-4 . LC 2009042952. OLDFIELD, Dawn Bluemel Leaping Ground Frogs map. ISBN 978-1-936087-35-8 . LC 2009045785. ea vol: 24p. (Amphibiana Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Bearport 2010. PLB $22.61. Gr 4-7 This series is informative, eye-catching, well organized, and useful for reports. Readers will learn that amphibian means double life, indicating the creatures need to live on land but near water, and that these are resilient, ancient creatures. Along with species-specific material, each book includes a few spreads of life-cycle information, a range map, and an indication of the subjects endangered status. Large, clear color photos depict the animals in their natural habitats. One thing this series does well is to refer to the same animals throughout. For example, the section of Water Frogs that discusses other types of amphibians features salamanders and newts, reinforcing the information found in other titles in the series, so that students who read all of the books will develop a knowledge base of a core group of amphibians. This is a great series for kids who simply want to read about a fascinating, ubiquitous family of animals.

This series provides a cursory introduction to frogs, toads, and other amphibians. The books emphasize the similarities among all amphibians while highlighting species' unique capabilities. Each volume conveys information about the life cycle of the title animal as well as its habitat, diet, and environmental dangers; there is some repetition across volumes. The vivid close-up photographs are eye-catching. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.