Mysteries & Marvels of Nature

by Elizabeth Dalby

Describes the unusual abilities and adaptations certain animals and plants develop in order to survive.

Genres: Science, Nature, Animals, Nonfiction, Childrens, School, Science Nature

128 pages, Hardcover

First published September 26, 2003

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another nice Usborne book to use for science. My daughter loves the internet links to find out more about things that she is interested in.

[Eton School Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is internet-linked and filled with up-close photos, tons of fascinating information, and something that students will read through over and over.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this non-fiction book aloud to my children.

We loved this book! Each page combines both photographs and illustrations, and the information was presented in such a way that even my 4 year-old could understand and enjoy. The book is also internet-linked, which means that the Usborne website contains tons of kid-friendly links to enhance the book where you can watch videos, download pictures, test your knowledge with quizzes, and much more.

The book features many different species from the animal kingdom, as well as plant life. It was interesting to learn about the various survival techniques that animals can employ including how some animals possess unique abilities to enable them to survive harsh climates, as well as how different animals communicate and their life cycles. I learned as much as my children did!

If you have kids that love science books, I highly recommend this one!

[Coco Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved using this book for 4th grade science for my kids! After reading each page, you can go to a website and it provides links to short (2-5 min) clips over the animals that the page discusses. Very cool enhancement to traditional reading! This book covers mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. The colors and photographs throughout are beautiful. You get a mix of real photos and illustrations on each page. This is also a larger sized book which allows for the bigger and more detailed photographs.

[Terry]

This is not a story. This is a fact-filled book that invites kids to explore the animal kingdom at their own pace, in their own way. The photos are incredible, and naturally captivating. You will be smarter when you finish this book.

Go to the Reading Tub for the full review.

[Jamey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a concise, colorful, informative book about the magnificent traits of plants and animals. It talks about the living habits of fish in the pitch black depths of the ocean, and plants that digest insects. It shows the territorial habits of wolves and the amazing muscles in a jumping spider. Kids and adults alike will marvel at the eccentric and sometimes weird habits of these amazing living things.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are using this book with our science curricula this year, and my child and I have both really enjoyed it. The pictures and descriptions are vivid. The knowledge is presented on the child's level. My child especiallly enjoys the internet links of videos, quizzes and games. It is overall a great nature lesson book.

[Cathy Sheetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book with great photos of creatures and some of their interactions. This book also has internet links for additional resources.

This would be a good book to have in a text set as a supplementary text set when studying ecosystems and interactions between creatures for 3rd through 6th grade. Also good for classroom library for the same.

[Amie Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book to pick up with your child at home and also to have as a reference in the classroom. K-4 classrooms. Some interesting activity ideas to reinforce concepts.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filled with big, colorful photos and fascinating facts about a variety of land animals.