¿Sabes algo sobre mamíferos?/ Do You Know About Mammals?

By: Buffy Silverman
Publisher: Lerner Publications
PUblication Date: August 2012
ISBN: 978-0761393313
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: January 2013

There are several things that you will learn about mammals in this book. “Todos los mamíferos tienen algo de pelo o pelaje. Su calor corporal siempre se mantiene casi igual. Sus bebés toman leche.” If you look closely at the giraffes you can see that they have large spots on their short coat of hair. Then there are those skunks. It’s easy to see that they have black fur with white stripes going down their backs. They are different animals, but they both have fur or hair. Some animals have more than others. Take for instance the squirrel. “Las ardillas están cubiertas de la pelaje desde la cabeza hasta la cola.” On the other hand, the elephant has just a bit of hair at the very end of his tail!

Mammals are also warm-blooded. They create their own body warmth and “su temperatura se mantienen casi siempre igual.” It’s amazing that an animal in the desert or the polar bear can do that even though they live in very different places! Even the mountain goat standing in the snow is kept warm by its thick coat of fur. You will get to take a look at mamíferos bebé. You can see the wolf pups, the fawn, and the piglets drinking their mother’s milk. You will learn that most, but not all mammals grow inside their mother’s bodies, how some lay eggs, you’ll learn what they eat (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores), and you’ll learn many other interesting things about mamíferos. ¿Eres un mamifero?

This is a fun, fascinating look at mammals the young reader will enjoy. This is the Spanish edition, but can be shared by all in the homeschool or classroom setting. Confident readers can tackle this beginning nonfiction book with ease while the newly independent readers can work through this chapter book with a bit of assistance. The layout is vibrant and there are full-color photographs of each animal being discussed. There are captions that add additional information. For example, when we take a look at the beaver we learn that “Los castores comen corteza y hojas.” This is one in the series, Conoce los grupos de animales. In the back of the book is an index, a glossary, and additional recommended book and website resources to explore.

Quill says: This is a beginning nonfiction book on mammals from the "Conoce los grupos de animales" series that newly independent and confident readers will love!