Sounds are all around us.

Clap your hands, snap your fingers: You're making sounds. Read and find out how people and animals use different kinds of sounds to communicate.

PreSchool-Grade 2-Two useful series entries. Night Animals features colorful descriptions of familiar nocturnal creatures such as the skunk, raccoon, and bat. The terms "diurnal" and "nocturnal" are defined, and there are brief explanations of how and why some species have adapted to nighttime activity. The final pages tell where these animals sleep during the day and suggest activities for further discovery. Pfeffer begins with examples of sounds, such as finger snapping, and progresses to an explanation of how the vocal cords and ear bones vibrate. Echolocation, sound waves, sonar, and even decibels are covered with clear, concrete examples. There are many interesting tidbits about animals, such as how snakes hear by putting their heads against the ground. Activities listed at the end of the book would be fun to try at home or at school. Both books have excellent, attractive illustrations. Any library in need of updating its science collection would do well with these titles.
Jackie Hechtkopf, Talent House School, Fairfax, VA