From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 5ALarge watercolor and black-ink drawings illustrate the life cycle of the American bald eagle. The dramatic but straightforward text begins with the first of two eagle eggs hatching and follows the development of both nestlings until they are able to feed themselves, fly, and undertake winter migration. Come late winter or early spring, the parent eagles mate again, and as the book closes, they are set to witness the first of their new brood hatching. This alone would make a successful ornithological study for young readers. Morrison adds yet another layer: many of the book's pages also contain highly detailed anatomical drawings in pencil and more advanced explanations that enlarge the range of information for older readers. They add details on subjects such as how eagles fly, the color phases that the birds pass through during their five-year journey to maturity, the animals on which eagles prey, and how they catch fish. Adults reading to primary-aged children can easily skip over the more sophisticated material. Although there is no shortage of fine books that explore the life history of bald eagles, this one is unique in its usefulness and attractiveness.AEllen Fader, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Kirkus Reviews
This handy natural-history resource book includes everything readers need to know about eagles and more. Through two levels of texta narrative and an abundance of extremely detailed asidesMorrison presents the lifecycle of the bald eagle and the particulars of their habits and habitats. The primary text, accompanied by realistic watercolors, begins and ends with the hatching of an eaglet, and in clear, flowing language chronicles all stages of development. Detailed pencil drawings and diagrams supplement the secondary text, which offers more specific information about the eagles, such as their anatomy, prey, and flight techniques, in equally simple, lucid language. Morrison keeps it short and uncomplicated, but includes plenty of information by making good use of the page, keeping the watercolors at the fore, and the pencil drawings to the sides and bottoms of pages. Neither cursory nor overwhelming, this useful tool bespeaks the quiet passion of its creator, and passes it along to budding ornithologists. (Picture book/nonfiction. 6-9) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
