Venom

by Marilyn Singer

Toxic creatures can be found almost anywhere—in the woods, in the desert, in your own backyard . . . even in your room! Some, such as poison dart frogs and puffer fish, have poisonous skin or other organs. Others are venomous—they have stingers, spines, or fangs to injects their toxins. You know some of them black widow spiders, killer bees, rattlesnakes, stingrays, and scorpions. There are lots of other toxic species, too. Just take a look inside . . . if you dare ! "Sharp, full-color photos loaded with icky details are sure to catch readers' eyes and hold their interest."— School Library Journal "For biology reports or for students interested in the subject, this book will be a winner."— VOYA

Genres: Animals, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Science, Childrens, Nature

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Marilyn Singer was born in the Bronx (New York City) on October 3, 1948 and lived most of her early life in N. Massapequa (Long Island), NY. She attended Queens College, City University of New York, and for her junior year, Reading University, England. She holds a B.A. in English from Queens and an M.A. in Communications from New York University.

In 1974, after teaching English in New York City high schools for several years, she began to write - initially film notes, catalogues, teacher's guides and film strips. Then, one day, when she was sitting in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, she penned a story featuring talking insect characters she'd made up when she was eight. Encouraged by the responses she got, she wrote more stories and in 1976 her first book, The Dog Who Insisted He Wasn't, was published by E.P.Dutton & Co.

Since then, Marilyn has published over seventy books for children and young adults. Her genres are many and varied, including realistic novels, fantasies, non-fiction, fairy tales, picture books, mysteries and poetry. She likes writing many different kinds of books because it's challenging and it keeps her from getting bored. She has won several Children's Choice and Parents' Choice Awards, as well as the following: the Creature Carnival, Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book, 2005; I Believe in Water: Twelve Brushes with Religion, New York Public Library's "Best Books for the Teen Age," 2001; Stay True: Short Stories for Strong Girls, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 2000 (YALSA); On the Same Day in March, Booklist's Top Ten Science Books of 2000; NCSS-CBC Notable Book, 2000; Deal with a Ghost, finalist, YA category, Edgar Award, 1998; It Can't Hurt Forever, Maud Hart Lovelace Award, 1983; The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 1983; Turtle in July, NCTE Notable, N.Y.Times Best Illustrated and Time Magazine Best Children's Books of 1989; Turtle in July was also a Reading Rainbow review book.

Marilyn currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband Steve; their standard poodle Oggi, a cousin of their beloved and recently departed poodle Easy, seen in the home page photo; a cat named August ; two collared doves named Jubilee and Holiday; and a starling named Darling. Her interests include dog training, reading, hiking, bird-watching, gardening, meditation, playing computer adventure games and going to the movies and the theatre. She's also a major Star Trek fan.

Reviews

[Lara Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Marilyn Singer has compiled for students a good assortment of venomous creatures ranging from insects to snakes and even to birds. This is a great book for those students who are very interested in learning about different animals and could help foster a greater love of those animals in students. It would be ideally for slightly older students because of the amount of text in the story.

[Sam Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for anyone who loves snakes or anything creepy crawly and learning about them. The book explains the many different snakes, bugs, animals that are venomous. Great pictures with loads of detail.

[Alyssa Ricard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very long and informative book. It's not one you would read cover to cover but maybe during a day full of science lessons you could sneak a couple fun facts about some venomous creatures to your students.

[Makkena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good informational book when possibly teaching about snakes!

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can see the pitch for this book now…

(Author walks into a room. Sitting at a desk in a large leather office chair sits a skeptical publisher)

Publisher: An entire book about things that have venom? Sorry, but I don’t think you’ve got the makings of book here.

Author: There are more venomous animals than most people realize, I think.

Publisher: (Slightly Annoyed) Right, snakes. Look, we have enough snake books at the moment. If you don’t mind, I’m very busy now-

Author: Wait! There are more. There’s snakes, sure, but there’s also spiders and frogs and -

Publisher: Okay, so there are three animals. Still, it seems like a stretch.

Author: And bees, and salamanders, and -

Publisher: Hmm. I guess I never thought of those other ones.

Author: And ants, and scorpions, and -

Publisher: Alright! I was wrong. It seems that there are a ton of animals that kids find fascinating, that also happen to be deadly. You got me. Tell me more.

Author: Here’s what I’m thinking: tons of quality information, plenty of color photos of the venomous animals in action, and a healthy dollop of weird/crazy sidebar stories to grab readers’ attention. What do you think?

Publisher: Yes, Yes, it’s genius! Those pesky reluctant readers will love it for the exotic animals, exciting pictures, and crazy facts. Teachers will love it for the high quality information. I think that we’ve got a hit on our hands! A quality non-fiction selection if I’ve ever seen one.

Author: (Polishing fingernails on shirt) You’re welcome.

[Gerardo Mendoza-Tovar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This unique book was written by Marilyn Singer who wrote about the different ways many different animals use venom. Singer includes a large variety of animals with venom like fish, snakes, birds, bees, mosquitos, a lot of insects, and even mammals! Some examples of how the animals use their venom for are by spraying it at their prey, or using their stinger, or using their spines, and many other different ways! She also includes the differences and similarities between individual types of animals. For example, she talks about which caterpillars are venomous and which ones aren’t.
I really enjoyed reading this book because it was very informational. I learned a lot about the animals that used their venom for protection and other various ways. I would use this book in my classroom to show the students the ways animals use their venom. I could read aloud a little bit at the start of each day to get them engaged. The vocabulary was pretty easy. The only words that could be difficult to read are the scientific names of the animals, but I still think the book would be great for any students from K-8th grade or even high school. The illustrations are very engaging and keep me wanting to read more and more of it. I would highly recommend this book for science classes, but also any other class in elementary school.

Singer, Marilyn. (2007). Venom. Plain City, Ohio: Darby Creek Publishing.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marilyn Singer has done an incredible amount of research and talked to experts in the field in order to write this truly comprehensive book about venom and the animals that make it. She covers snakes, spiders, fish, birds (yes, there are 2 venomous birds!), bees, ants and other insects, newts, toads, butterflies, and even some mammals (shrews--can you believe it?). I didn't know there were so many poisonous animals out there! She also talks about how venom works, the different kinds of venom, and, most interesting, some of the medical uses that scientists are developing from venom. An extensive bibliography and webliography at the end lead readers to more information. The only negative I have about the book is that Singer tends to use scientific terms, such as "benthic," "setae," and "cnidarian" which she defines in the text, but then uses on other pages after you've forgotten what they mean. Thankfully, however, she also includes a glossary. This book is definitely not for beginning readers, but middle to high schoolers should find everything they ever wanted to know about venom here.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read part of this book while waiting on my niece's Easter Egg hunts to begin. Her friend really loved looking at the pictures and reading the text boxes. Farrah enjoyed looking at the pictures and telling me what she knew about venomous animals.They are in the 3rd grade. My 8th grade niece, Autumn, challenged my knowledge about venom versus poison when she saw me reading this book.

I did not like this book, I found it to be boring. I liked the headings, but most of the jokes were made for people who are my age. There was a Slim Shady reference (1999), which was made before the time of the readers, but it cracked me up. This book had a lot of good information. I would offer it to children who like snakes or other dangerous animals. I would also suggest using it during a research project.


http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/bo...
Interest Level
Grades 6 - 8
Reading Level
Grade level Equivalent: 9.3
Lexile® Measure: NC1110L
DRA: Not Available
Guided Reading: Not Available
Theme/Subject
Animal Survival and Adaptation

[Mariya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The colors and pictures in this book are very eye catching. Then when I start reading about what bites, stings, and slithers it sent shivers down my spine. There are little quizzes on the margins to keep children reading. The information is easy to read and describes all of the creepy crawlies and venomous animals, insects, and birds that this planet holds. I would definitely use this book, it's eye catching and entertaining, not to mention the students would learn from it!

[Austin H-y · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this this book. I thought it was interesting because it is about poisonous and venomous animals. My favorite part is the section on spiders. I liked that part because my favorite spider is in it. My favorite spider is a brown recluse. I like this spider because when it bites you, your flesh Rots away, and the book showed a picture. Also it said that caterpillars are related to scorpions and spiders. I wouldn't recommend this to any one who doesn't like creepy crawly things.

[Laura Sims · Rating 4 out of 5]

The photo makes one think the book will be about snakes, but of course, the title lets you know that it's about much more than that...it's an interesting non-fiction picture book filled with photographs of a variety of creatures that bite and sting such as snakes, spiders, jellyfish, etc. The information delves into what the make-up of the various venoms include. The book has many interesting facts that the readers will find engaging and informative.

[Dollytomp]

I find this book very interesting and learned a few things. This book of Venoms is not just about snakes, it is about other poisonous creatures. This book has great pictures that catches the eye and lots of detail. Kids would learn a lot about venomous creatures of different source and enjoy the pictures. This book makes it easy to read because the way the text is set up in the book. This is a great informational book kids and adults.

[Shelly Koressel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures of the animals are super! This is just mainly an informational science book about where you can find venomous or poisonous animals and how you can determine them from the ones that are not. I thought this was really cool cause I like bugs, and creepy crawlers. Good book for science 2nd or 3rd grade.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the biodiversity found on our world. This book mixes the right creepiness level to keep attention and fascination. It is a bit much for a young child to read, but if the interest is there, it would be great to introduce venomous species.

[Kyle.b · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book. It tells you about the different types of toxins. They are neurtoxins, which attack the nerves system and the brain, hemotoxins, which target and destroy red blood cells, and necrotoxins, which destroy all types of tissues. Read this book to find out more!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book terrified me. It was very informational, but I will never be able to see a spider without freaking out. I would like to use this book for research projects in my classroom. I also love how many different animals it describes being venomous.

[Terrell]

This book is filled with fascinating facts about venom in plants and animals. The books has a really neat format with clever quizzes to hook kids' attention. Great webliography is also provided.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book Is Full Of Amazing Animals And Information !!! You All Should Read It!!

[Brittany Lockard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good informational book that talks about the different venomous animals that are in the wild. Some animals might surprise you. Great pictures and lots of details.

[Megan Bratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discusses various animals that are venomous. Great pictures and interactive "guessing" sections. Threatening pictures that the boys would love!

[Sara Taylor-hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good to teach older students how to scan a text for specific info. strategy. Good descriptive language and pictures

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good photos. Covers not only snakes, but spiders and other animals that are venomous. Would really appeal to kids with the photos and the way the text is set up on the page.

[Joshua De]

venom by marilyn singer