Amazing Amphibians: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring Frogs, Toads, Salamanders, and More

by Lisa J. Amstutz

Overview

Young nature enthusiasts will learn these and other fascinating facts about amphibians in this colorful, interactive resource. Readers will explore the major amphibian groups—frogs, salamanders, and caecilians— including their anatomy, behavior, and conservation needs, and will learn about slime, venom, hibernation, and much more. Amazing Amphibians gives a full-color overview of amphibian life history, highlights a number of fascinating species, and explains characteristics of amphibians, such as egg-laying, metamorphosis, and ectothermy. With encouragement to "Try This," "Look For," and "Listen For," kids participate in 30 hands-on activities that promote observation and analysis, writing and drawing, math and science, and nature literacy skills. This useful resource includes a glossary of scientific terms, a list of amphibian orders, and a teacher's guide to initiate classroom discussion.

Did you know . . .

• Goliath frogs can grow to 6½ pounds and jump 10 feet in a single leap?
• The mudpuppy, a species of salamander, gets its name from the doglike barking sound it makes when out of the water?
• The North American wood frog can survive brutal winters, even after it has frozen solid?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781641600750
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	01/07/2020
Series:	Young Naturalists , #6
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
Lexile:	950L (what's this?)
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	7 - 9 Years

About the Author

Lisa Amstutz holds degrees in biology and ecology/environmental science, and as a former outdoor educator, she is passionate about connecting kids with nature. Amstutz is the author of more than 100 children's books and serves as assistant regional advisor for SCBWI: Northern Ohio.

Editorial Reviews

12/13/2019

Gr 6 Up—Amphibians are an important part of the ecological food chain. Medical benefits provided by amphibians are still being discovered. Currently, their population levels are quickly dwindling. These important messages are reinstated throughout the book. Starting with explaining what an amphibian is, their relatives, and body features, plus their natural habitats, Amstutz goes on to describe their life cycles and how dangerous the world is for these little creatures. Not only do they have natural predators, but man-made factors threaten their population levels. Each chapter has activities: searching out and identifying amphibians in one's area, playing games (LeapFrog, the Camouflage Game, and making Frog Slime), writing amphibian haikus, or crafting a letter to a scientist. All the activities are fairly simple; most can be accomplished without much adult supervision. The information is easily readable. Amphibian lovers will appreciate the clear, bold, bright illustrations. Pages are broken up into a variety of sections ("Fun Fact," "Look For") to support reader comprehension. Illustrations, photographs with additional information, and other shaded sections with questions and answers diversify the reading format. Back matter offers a glossary with simple, straightforward definitions, a list of amphibian orders, websites, a teacher's guide, a bibliography, and an index. VERDICT Students writing reports will like the book's interesting photography and appreciate the wealth of information. Amphibian lovers will dive in.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio

School Library Journal