Horn Book (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Each book provides a scattershot overview of the fish's "xtraordinary" physical characteristics, diet, habitat, behaviors, reproduction, and development. Large, clear photographs extend the information presented in the stiff texts; unfortunately, the design is overly busy. Gimmicky "Top Five Xtreme" countdowns about run-ins with humans add little to the presentations--and oddly contrast with the book's assurances that attacks are rare. Bib., glos., ind.

ALA Booklist (Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2012)

Like any good animal series, these titles in the Living Wild series impart all the right information for school reports: physical description, habitat, life cycle, age range, care for the young, position upon the food chain, adaptations, and conservation efforts. The books go beyond these basics in how they consider the animals' places in history and culture. Piranhas debunks their horror-movie reputation as man-eating predators and explains their real eating habits and how Native South Americans have learned to coexist with these toothy terrors. Sidebar facts, a world map, a glossary, and a bibliography add to the research value, while gorgeous color photographs, many full-page, and a concluding folktale will lure browsers.

School Library Journal (Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2012)

GISH, Melissa . Sea Lions . ISBN 978-1-60818-169-8 . LC 2011035793. ea vol: 48p. (Living Wild Series). illus. maps. photos. bibliog. glossary. index. Creative Education . 2012. PLB $24.95. Gr 5-8 Concise texts describe distinctive characteristics of these creatures. Piranhas also discusses the ways popular culture views the fish (they're not as dangerous as portrayed) and serious ecological issues, such as dwindling numbers in the wild, problems caused by their importation and release into U.S. waters, etc. Sea Lions describes the animals' role as performers as well as their use by the military in locating mines, retrieving objects, etc., and threats to their survival. Each title concludes with a retelling of an ancient myth about the animal. Full-page, sharply focused, color photographs of the animals in natural settings illustrate the texts on about every other page; many are close-ups. Small captioned pictures in the margins of most pages offer additional facts. Both books are remarkable for their clear information and exceptional photography. Valuable additions to natural-history sections. Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library