From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8 A readable, nicely organized compendium. Covering a broad spectrum of topics, including global distribution, physiology, fossil and mummified finds, and theories on mammoth extinction, the text is a rich vein for young researchers to mine. There are information boxes on such diverse subjects as human Ice Age hunters, mammoth mummies, and sinkhole history, and there are geologic time lines; the list for further reading includes many adult titles. The illustrations are a blend of many small color and black-and-white photos and a few examples of generally competent artwork from several sources. Most volumes currently on the shelf are considerably simpler in content than this detailed presentation, such as Windsor Chorlton's handsome Woolly Mammoth (Scholastic, 2001) and Barbara Hehner's dramatic Ice Age Mammoth (Crown, 2001), so this new addition will prove a useful, informative asset to most collections. -Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 5-8. In a text supported by plenty of full-color photos, the authors survey what is known about mammoths, which survived for more than three million years in Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America, before suddenly becoming extinct some 10,000 years ago. Noting that unlike dinosaur relics, mammoth remains are plentiful (the largest collection is in Hot Springs, South Dakota), Agenbroad and Nelson go on to take a look at what scientists have learned by studying the bones, fur, skin, and dung of these giant mammals-- including information about diet, life span, and social structure (mammoths lived in groups similar to those of contemporary African elephants). An examination of theories about the mammoth's disappearance concludes. The photos, showing mammoth remains, dig sites, and caves where drawings of the animal have been found, nicely complement the clear and detailed text in the Discovery! series. A glossary is appended. Karen Hutt
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