Snakes and Such (What a Pet)

Grade 4-7-Two volumes in a series designed to aid parents and children in choosing family pets from a wide variety of critters from miniature horses to water dragons. The first title covers such exotic creatures as armadillos, ferrets, llamas, monkeys, potbellied pigs, and sugar gliders. The second includes reptiles and amphibians such as snakes, chameleons, geckos, iguanas, turtles, frogs, and salamanders. The authors present the facts in an orderly, informative, and dispassionate manner, devoting four pages to each pet. A "Fast Facts" box, imposed on a full-color photo of the creature, gives its scientific name along with cost, food, housing, and training requirements. Also included is data on size, general temperaments, and life spans, plus a wide assortment of Web sites (and a few book titles) for further reference. These are not pet-care manuals, but rather selection tools to assist in educated decision making and prevent imperfect pairings. Useful and readable, if not essential.
Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.