The non-fiction book, “Slinky, Scaly Snakes” by Jennifer Dussling is a fun, interactive book. I like that the pictures included are real photographs. I think this helps teach about snakes more than drawings would. It’s also just cool to see the different types of snakes there are! I also like that there is a list of snake facts in the back of the book, like “Unlike people, snakes never stop growing” and that snakes can only slither as fast as humans walk, so it’d be easy to outrun a snake. All together, I think this book is a great read for learning about the animal, and the overall theme is exploring the topic of snakes and finding out surprising facts. ( )

Slinky, Scaly Snakes! by Jennifer Dussling is the most fascinating book I’ve ever read about the creatures. Of course I realize that as a Level 2 DK Reader designed for children who are beginning to read alone, it’s written for a much younger audience (my children think it’s neat too). The high-interest, action-filled photographs of snakes going about their business make this one title not to miss in your collection of readers.

Featuring large, easy to read print, DK’s Level 2 readers contain a simple index, longer sentences with increased vocabulary, and information boxes full of facts. Each page typically contains two to four sentences of Dussling’s narrative that accompanies bright, bold photography of snakes at work. The blend of 70% pictures and 30% text helps young readers move ahead without getting bogged down.

Not for the faint of heart, but excellent for the morbidly curious (this means little boys, my nature-loving daughters, and me), Slinky, Scaly Snakes! goes where few books have gone before. Not only are photographs of a variety of species present, along with the necessary snapshots of shedding skin, but also fascinating step-by-step photo montages are also included of snakes devouring their prey.

A boa constrictor is shown swallowing a rat in stages; a rattlesnake is shown injecting poison into its prey; a rock python is captured in the act of swallowing a gazelle; and another snake is shown squeezing a small rodent to death. I’m firmly convinced that these fascinating –- if somewhat macabre –- photo spreads are what will keep young readers returning to this book time after time.

A series of photographs depicts each step of the egg-eating process, from the monumental feat of swallowing an egg whole, to displaying the distended body of the snake, and best of all — the shell and snake-spit that are ejected once the egg breaks inside the snake and is consumed. Hard to find pictures of a snake laying eggs, baby snakes hatching, and a snake playing dead round out the terrific selection of “up close and personal” snaps.

Dussling doesn’t focus entirely upon the bodily functions of snakes (however fascinating they may be). She also briefly explores the role snakes play in the ecosystem, and in the development of medicines. Snake habitats, method of locomotion, camouflage, and senses are all covered in the text, with additional facts included on the “Snake Facts” page at the book’s end. One brief mention of an evolutionary theory presented as fact is included in one of the call-out information boxes.

With such high-interest photographs revealing the fascinating world of these slithering reptiles Slinky, Scaly, Snakes! is a perfect choice for engaging reluctant readers who have a fondness for creepy-crawlies. While certainly not for young and old sufferers of ophidiophobia (fear of snakes), this fascinating title has certainly found a permanent home in our collection.

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com ( )

Slink, scaly snakes is filled with real pictures of lots of snakes. The vibrat pictures in this book are eye catching paired with facts about the reptile. This book is presented in a "Just the Facts" kind of way, and gives a summary of the species characteristics. Overall, there is a lot of educational support and consultants that were used for this book. It does present the facts up close to the animal without being near a live one.

This book makes me cringe just thinking about the animal, and worse when I think I am going to have to teach about them. I just don't think I can omit it from the curriculum due to lack of interest! I like the the facts are straigt forward and easy to understand. The pictures have great detail and help build backgroung knowlegde for further study (by the students of course!)

I would include this book in my class library for students to ready, and I would refrence it when doing a unit on reptiles. venn diagrams could be done to compare and contrast snakes to the reptile group. Also, it would be neat (for the students) to see a molted skin. Also, a Herpatologist would be a great class visitor that could answer student questions and possible bring a snake to touch.

They're simple. They're informative. They're cheap. If your child is too young to read, they're perfectly good read-aloud books.

What more can you ask for when stocking your kid's library?

This book is filled with stunning pictures of snakes being snakes - so if you're squeamish, avoid it. If you're not, though, you're sure to love the snakes eating rats :)

One problem I *do* have with it is that not all the facts are well-integrated into the text. There are too many little "fact boxes" on the pages. These just distract from the main text, and make the book harder for beginning readers. All information should have been written as a cohesive unit, not as a page with a separate little box of information. ( )