Editorial Review
SLJ Review of Early Animal Encyclopedias
Aimed at a slightly younger age range than the “Animal Encyclopedia” series, this set provides basic facts about a wide variety of animals. Each title opens with a general overview of the group, followed by brief articles on individual breeds and spe- cies. Most of the profiles are two pages long, with concise descriptions of appearance and behavior, plus additional facts relevant to the group. Typical entries include two photo- graphs and a couple of other visual resources such as range maps, physical dimensions, or, in the case of Dinosaurs, geologic eras. The writing is clear and consistent, supported by useful visuals in efficient page layouts. Most of the books feature 50–70 entries; Farm Animals has 20 slightly longer entries which include information about animal care and their domestic uses. VERDICT Useful refer- ence sources for elementary students with additional appeal for browsers.