ALA Booklist (Sat May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2004)

Each book in the Sills' dependable About . . . series provides a simple, straightforward introduction to one class of animals. This attractive, informative book presents the physical characteristics of all crustaceans as well as the special features of a few species. Precisely delineated and often quite handsome, the watercolor paintings on the right-hand pages show lobsters, crabs, krill, barnacles, pill bugs, and other members of the clan in action. The facing pages carry the large-print text, usually just one sentence per spread. The five-page afterword refers back to each of the 15 color plates, here reproduced as small, black-and-white pictures, with a paragraph of information on the species pictured. The clarity of layout, text, and illustration gives this book an accessible look, while the quality of the presentation makes it well worth sharing in the classroom.

Horn Book (Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2004)

Working on a few levels, the spare text informs readers about characteristics of crustaceans in general while the realistic illustrations picture specific crustaceans identified by name. Crabs, lobsters, barnacles, crayfish, and more demonstrate featured characteristics highlighted in the text. For the more advanced reader an informative afterword ends the book.

Kirkus Reviews

A young naturalist's guide to the hard-bodied creatures often spotted at the seashore introduces crustaceans as animals that have a hard shell protecting their soft bodies. Children will especially enjoy the cooler facts that are included—crustaceans shed their shells when they get too small, some have eyes on stalks, and some can even regenerate a lost limb. Sill explains the difference between a scavenger and a predator, as well as the fact that crustaceans are also an important part of the food chain. The text features simple language and short sentences and defines vocabulary within the sentence, making it easy for children to learn new words. Marvelous paintings evoke the seashore, with all its color and fluidity. Each plate is numbered and labeled with the crustacean's name, along with the names of other animals in the scene. An afterword gives more details about the animals featured, but would be more appealing to young readers if it were opposite the full-color illustrations instead of at the back of the book and in black and white. An excellent first resource book for young children. (Picture book/nonfiction. 3-6)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-Full-page, realistic paintings face white pages with simple sentences. A basic description of what makes an animal a crustacean is followed by explanations of how these invertebrates use their senses, move around, protect themselves, find food, and fit into our world. Done in bright watercolors, the illustrations give a sense of these creatures' different habitats, and captions identify all of the species shown by their common names. An afterword reprints each painting in a small black-and-white version and provides more facts about the specific animals and processes depicted. This is an excellent example of easy nonfiction, perfect for beginning readers or for sharing aloud with budding naturalists.-Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, FL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.