For those who like their snakes way up close and personal, Bishop's stunning photographs ought to do the trick. Unusual varieties of the slithery creatures, most pictured larger than life, fill the pages and are often poised as if ready to jump right out into readers' laps. The photos are so alluring that it is tempting to overlook the text filling negative spaces, but readers will appreciate these brief and engrossing nuggets of information. It's the same simple, highly effective format used in Nic Bishop Spiders (2007), Nic Bishop Frogs (2008), Nic Bishop Lizards (2010), and more. This time out, the showstopping centerfold is a Mojave rattlesnake pictured three times its actual size. The book closes with an interesting two-page note by Bishop about the particular challenges of photographing snakes. This will work as a read-aloud for crowds not easily spooked.

Seemingly impossible-to-get shots of snakes poised and alert, arched and ready to strike, and even swallowing an egg whole are interspersed with more restful moments during which they are coiled onto branches or camouflaged by sand. It will take a while for readers to tear themselves away from the images to read the excellent accompanying text that describes snake behavior, physiology, and eating habits. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Calling snakes -strange, secretive, and surprising,- Bishop offers an excellent photographic guide to these reptiles in all their diversity. Striking magnified images depict a variety of snake species in the wild and in captivity, including a feathered bush viper (whose scales resemble tree leaves), garter snakes overwintering in a burrow, and an African egg-eating snake living up to its moniker. Bishop accompanies the photographs with factual information about each specimen, as well as observations about the snakes- physical characteristics and behavior (-Extra-large scales on a snake-s belly act like the tread on your shoes-). Herpetologists in training, look no further. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

Gr 2-4-Bright, crisp color photos illuminate Markle's staccato text that is just right for younger readers as it discusses the pros and cons of snake size and the benefits of large or small body parts. However, the book is not merely a litany of factoids, but a cogent look at commonalities or disparate evolutions that are advantageous for these sleek reptiles in their specific habitats. A global location map for the photographed snakes is included. Far less detailed than Laurence Pringle's handsome Snakes!: Strange and Wonderful (Boyds Mills, 2004) and on the same level as Jennifer Dussling's Slinky, Scaly Snakes! (DK, 1998), this eye-catcher will certainly invite budding herpetologists to a s-s-snakefest.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.