School Library Journal
Prehistoric creatures of the ocean come to life in this new Hi-Lo series. Each title provides in-depth information on an early marine animal, with topics ranging from ichthyosaurs to sea scorpions to megalodons. The text, which includes one short, readable paragraph per page, is written at a second-grade reading level. The books are extremely informative despite the simple text, and are full of content on the underwater animal’s anatomy and unique features, diet, predators, and what their fossils reveal. Page layouts include appealing graphics and illustrations that highlight the unique features of each ancient creature. Text features, such as diagrams, size-comparison charts, maps, and time lines, enhance the content to deepen understanding for readers. The end includes a glossary, as well as additional online resources available via Bellwether’s online FactSurfer website. VERDICT Quality visual features combined with engaging text make this a strong choice for striving readers interested in prehistoric life.
