Staying Alive: The Story of a Food Chain

by Jacqui Bailey, Matthew Lilly (Illustrator)

Explains how plants and animals are connected through a food chain.

32 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A semi-fiction book that interrupts its conveying of a life cycle to – well, to tell us a second life cycle. Yes, awkwardly the first one begins OK – it's tree, caterpillar, bird – but the predator of the bird misses, so it flies over zebra, and we then see zebra eaten by lion, and what happens next with the remains. That awkwardness aside the whole thing does get the lesson across, and a touch of other biology, such as what a habitat is.

It's very basic science, and presented in graphic novel format as well, so remains fully coloured and pictorial and most accessible. Despite the cartoonish quipping that fails to impress, from animal and tree alike, this is a success. A reprint of a 2006 book, it's part of a small set from the same team, and backs me up that they're all commendable stuff – certainly with nothing to quibble about here too loudly this could be just the way to go to engage a young future biologist.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

With thanks to the author, publishers Bloomsbury Publishing PLC and NetGalley, for providing me with a DRC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a very informative book that explains how the food chain works in a way that will be interesting and engaging for younger readers. The topics are clearly explained, and supported well by the fantastic artwork. Even possibly upsetting topics like certain animals killing and eating others in order to survive are handled very well, and dealt with in a sensitive way.

The experiment that was included is a very good way for readers to test some of the topics that are covered, while some useful scientific websites are also provided those who want to learn more.

Very well done!

[Sam Ing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC

An informative book about food chains, that is written in a way for children to understand how they work. with facts and pictures, it's a brilliant book to use in a science lesson in the classroom or home Ed.

[~Lyn~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bagian ini berkisah tentang evolusi kehidupan di Bumi, mula-mula sosok bersel banyak sampai munculnya sosok-sosok pertama di darat. Buku ini merupakan bagian kedua dari seri kartun sejarah bumi.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is dense for a read aloud picture book but it is great for my older kids to read through and get some great information. I love that it does show that everything is food for something else. It even goes through decomposition and returning the nutrients to the earth. Some younger kids may be upset by animals eating each other but I am a science teacher and I tend to be very matter of fact about predator and prey relationships so I really enjoyed the honesty of the book.