Gillian Candler

Gillian Candler and Ned Barraud have produced another book in their wonderful Explore and Discover series. This one explores all sorts of fresh-water habitats: creeks, rivers, lakes and wetlands. With each habitat, apart from the lake, there is first a description of the habitat and then, when you turn the page, you get to see just what lives there. There is a sentence and a picture for each creature with a page reference so readers can find more information if they want. The second half of the book looks at the different types of creature in more detail : fish, insects, birds, plants and algae and other creatures. There is also a double page spread on fresh water including the water cycle and information on fresh water problems. The book finishes with a glossary, an index and suggestions of where more information can be obtained.
This book would be ideal for an adventurous child who is interested in wildlife and is a 'must-buy' for schools and libraries who currently have to rely on overseas titles that feature creatures not found in our fresh water habitats.… (altro)

Gillian Candler has followed up her book about beaks by now writing one about feet. The format is the same - readers are invited to guess "Whose feet are these?" with the aid of a picture and a couple of descriptive lines. Upon turning the page, the creature is revealed along with some additional information about it. While "Whose Beak is This?" only featured birds, the scope of this book is broader, with tuatara, gecko, spider, weka, bat and peripatus being included alongside the red-billed gull, kakapo, New Zealand falcon, little blue penguin, pied stilt and saddleback.
This book, beautifully illustrated by Fraser Williamson, is a great addition to New Zealand libraries. The guessing format will help engage children to learn more about the amazing creatures living in Aotearoa and the inclusion of the Maori names for each of the creatures is a plus.… (altro)

This book is part of the excellent 'Explore and Discover' series with previous titles being: At the beach, In the garden, Under the ocean and In the bush. Whereas the previous titles featured animals and birds that children may be familiar with, this book shows the creatures that lived in New Zealand many years ago. Turning the pages of the book takes you further and further back in time with information about the climate, land conditions and the characteristic birds and animals. Some fact boxes provide further information and while others, entitled 'how do we know', provide evidence for the information given. There is an index and a brief glossary at the end as well as pointers to sources of further information. Ned Barraud's drawings colourful, detailed and… (altro)