Review by Booklist Review
Arnosky discusses camouflage in nature, a topic that interests him as a naturalist and an artist, and offers varied examples of how individual species blend in with their surroundings. Some double-page spreads present camouflage within a class of animals (birds, reptiles, mammals) or a habitat (forest, ocean), while others spotlight special topics such as seasonal color changes. The large-format book includes several foldout pages showcasing acrylic paintings, often composed in ways that help readers understand matters such as how a white-tailed deer uses its coloring to evade predators, or how a variety of sea creatures use different techniques to disguise themselves. The smaller shaded-pencil drawings are notable for their precision, grace, and usefulness as illustrations. It's helpful that the text is placed in close proximity to related pictures. An experienced observer of the natural world who clearly enjoys sharing his knowledge, Arnosky creates an amiable, conversational tone in the text, making it easier for readers to absorb the information and concepts discussed here. A well-researched, beautifully illustrated introduction to camouflage.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-4-Arnosky adds to his acclaimed oeuvre with this title on animal camouflage. The work features striking paintings that demonstrate how predators and prey use their abilities to blend into their surroundings. Foldout pages create panoramas that illustrate topics such as birds' feather patterns and snakes' colors and shapes that help them "disappear" into their habitats. The conversational text combines personal accounts of where Arnosky encountered various animals with basic scientific information about how camouflage works with mammals, insects, birds, aquatic life, and reptiles. He encourages readers to prop the book open to view his paintings from a distance-a perfect suggestion for educators using this title in a classroom or small group setting-so readers can appreciate the effectiveness of featured camouflage techniques. This volume joins the author's other titles, such as Shimmer & Splash: The Sparkling World of Sea Life and Thunder Birds: Nature's Flying Predators in opening readers' eyes to the wonders of the natural world. Older kids wanting to learn more about the science behind camouflage and mimicry might also consult Rebecca L. Johnson's Masters of Disguise: Amazing Animal Tricksters. VERDICT Blending personal observation and scientific fact, this richly illustrated introduction to camouflage deserves a spot in most libraries.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University Library, Mankato © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Animals' shapes, coloring, and behaviors allow them to conceal and reveal themselves.Arnosky uses his considerable artistic talents to demonstrate how animal camouflage works using examples from across the animal kingdom and throughout the year. Acrylic paintings (including foldout spreads) and occasional pencil studies show animals in their natural habitats, where colors, patterns, and the play of light work to allow them to seem to vanish. He suggests looking at these paintings from across the room to see how a Florida panther can vanish in the grass or a moose into a forest. He uses familiar examples such as a spotted fawn on a forest floor or a female blackbird in the reeds as well as surprising ones: a bittern stretched tall like the grasses around it; a scorpion fish blending in color and texture with its perch on a mound of coral. He discusses the role of the countershadingdark above and light belowso often found in birds and marine animals. Pencil drawings show how some insect shapes mimic parts of plants and how a fawn's spots will disappear over time. Loosely organized into chapters with short introductions, his examples are captioned with short explanatory paragraphs. Most come from his own observations and experiences over many years of exploring and researching the natural world. Read aloud or alone, this will heighten anyone's appreciation for "Naturethe ultimate artist." (author's note, further reading) (Informational picture book. 4-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
