Zoology for Kids: Understanding and Working with Animals, with 21 Activities

by Josh Hestermann, Bethanie Hestermann, The Kratt Brothers (Foreword by)

Overview

An interactive introduction to working with animals

Zoology for Kids invites the next generation of zoologists to discover the animal kingdom through clear, entertaining information and anecdotes, lush color photos, hands-on activities, and peer-reviewed research. Young minds are introduced to zoology as a science by discussing animals’ forms, functions, and behaviors as well as the history behind zoos and aquariums. Related activities include baking edible animal cells, playing a dolphin-echolocation game, and practicing designing an exhibit. Young readers can peek into the world of zookeepers and aquarists, veterinarians, wildlife researchers, and conservationists as they “train” their friends, mold a tiger’s jawbone, and perform field research in their own backyard. This engaging resource provides readers with new knowledge, a healthy respect for the animal kingdom, and the idea that they can pursue animal-related careers and make a difference to preserve and protect the natural world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781613749616
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	03/01/2015
Series:	Chicago Review Press For Kids Series , #54
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	682,624
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.50(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	1190L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Josh Hestermann is the terrestrial husbandry manager at the California Science Center. He has worked as a senior mammalogist at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. Bethanie Hestermann is a freelance writer who also serves as a contributing writer and editor at large at Connected World magazine. They live in southern California. Martin and Chris Kratt, the Kratt Brothers, are the creators and cohosts of the PBS Kids series Kratts Creatures, Wild Kratts, and Zoboomafoo.

Editorial Reviews

12/22/2014
The husband-and-wife team of the Hestermanns present an accessible introduction to zoology, filled with vivid photographs and written in lively, enthusiastic prose. Early chapters focus on animal classification, biology, behavior, and habitats, while later ones introduce a variety of professions that involve working directly with animals. Each chapter offers activities that encourage readers to further engage with the material—one project suggests baking an edible animal cell cake: “Add some sprinkles (ribosomes) between some of the gummy worms to create rough endoplasmic reticulum.” Some sidebars introduce thought-provoking concepts, such as whether or not animals practice altruism; others focus on specific individuals who work with animals; an extensive glossary, source notes, and resource list are included. The Hestermanns strike an effective balance between educational material and fun that should hit a sweet spot for animal lovers. Ages 9–up. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Packed with facts and photos, Zoology for Kids is a vibrant introduction to zoology that also provides inspiration for career options and activities to help children further explore and apply what they have learned. This is exactly the kind of book I held in high regard as a young animal lover.” —Liesl Pimentel, manager of education and formal programs, Phoenix Zoo


“The Hestermanns strike an effective balance between educational material and fun that should hit a sweet spot for animal lovers.” —Publishers Weekly


"A convincing invitation to the wide world of working with animals." —Kirkus Reviews


“Plenty here to engage hands-on experimenters as well as readers indulging a general interest in living things or wondering what it would be like to be a zookeeper, veterinarian, wildlife researcher, or even “conservation warrior.”” —Booklist

“The attractive cover, inviting layout, colorful photos, and inviting illustrations will appeal to student readers. Fun experiences [will] involve readers in meaningful projects that require both creative and critical thinking related to animal life. Teachers will find these activities to be an effective way to address science standards. This work of nonfiction will be popular with youth who want to learn more about the science and care of animals. Librarians will find Zoology for Kids as well as the other books in the Young Naturalist series to be outstanding additions to the science collection.” —Teacher Librarian

"Well-written, informative, and beautifully designed." —All About Wildlife

From the Publisher

03/01/2015
Gr 4–6—Studded with fun activities and attractive animal photos, this comprehensive resource will excite those not already smitten with the animal world to enthusiastically join in the delightful exploration of what it means to study and care for animals in today's world. This book kicks off with a time line highlighting zoological milestones and a brief explanation of the subject, segueing into an in-depth view of animals, detailing their form, function, and habitats. Part 2 introduces professionals who have chosen a career in zoology and through their interviews and testimonies reveals how kids can start doing their own research and take steps to pursue a variety of interesting careers such as veterinarian, conservation scientist, or wildlife researcher. The author tackles many relevant questions: How are targets used to train a seal? Do elephants get toothaches? What are vital signs, and how are they used to determine an animal's health? The projects are entertaining and will foster observational skills or let kids conduct experiments; they include baking an animal cell out of cake mix, making a bird feeder out of a cardboard tube, interviewing a zoologist, and monitoring animal behavior in one's own backyard. This fascinating blend of history and science will provide children with a solid understanding of the topic and how it applies to other life sciences. Charming photos, hand-drawn graphics, highlighted words, and a correlative glossary enhance the clear-cut writing style. VERDICT A worthwhile purchase.—Kathryn Diman, Bass Harbor Memorial Library, Bernard, ME

School Library Journal

2015-01-10
A pair of enthusiastic animal lovers provide a comprehensive introduction to zoology, a description of potential careers and suggestions for hands-on activities for learning or practicing. This useful title begins with an in-depth look at the basics of the study of animal life: animal forms and functions, animal behavior, and the relation of animals to their environments. The second section describes the many different roles animal lovers can play: as workers (and even volunteers) in zoos and aquariums, veterinarians, wildlife researchers and "conservation warriors." The accompanying activities are appropriate for middle school students alone or in groups. They include baking an edible "animal cell" and making a salad from fruits commonly pollinated by bats, molding tiger teeth, making a stethoscope and taking vital signs, and playing various games. The extensive text, though a bit daunting at first, reads smoothly and often directly addresses the audience. It's broken up and made to look more accessible with plentiful pictures (a wide range of animals and animal workers) and text boxes. Some of these breakout sections discuss zoological concepts such as metamorphosis and animal classification, while others introduce figures in the history of animal study, from Aristotle to the chief scientist at Polar Bears International, and still others describe particular animal encounters. A convincing invitation to the wide world of working with animals. (glossary, resources, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 11-15)

Kirkus Reviews