Frogs, Toads, Lizards, and Salamanders

The creators of Bugs offer readers an enticing look at familiar amphibians and reptiles found in the continental United States. As with their earlier work, the left side of each spread features an amusing couplet paired with a cartoon-like drawing. On the right, a detailed, clearly labeled illustration of each animal is accompanied by a concise, fact-filled paragraph. For a short book (48 pages), an astonishingly large amount of information is conveyed, including a picture glossary depicting the life cycles of frogs and toads, relative size information and anatomical diagrams of both a frog and a lizard. Also featured are a glossary of terms, range maps, a chart of the scientific classification for each animal in the book, a bibliography and an index. Certain to appeal to children and scientists alike, this splendid, beautifully designed effort should be required reading for families and school classes contemplating nature expeditions. Ages 6-up. (Mar.)