The Tarantula Scientist
Bibliography:
Montgomery, Sy. 2004. THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST. Photo. Nic Bishop. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN-13: 978-0-618-91577-4 (Paperback)
Plot Summary:
What’s brown and hairy and has eight legs? Okay, the title gave it away, but even the title sends shivers down my spine, how about you? Just the name ‘tarantula’ sends fear into most people, but not our “tarantula scientist,” he can tell you all about them. Take a trip to French Guiana’s rain forest with Dr. Sam Marshall as he introduces you to tarantulas. While it may seem a little spooky, he will show you how he catches them, talk about different types of tarantulas and show you about his research involving them. Relax, those are just real photographs of them, they won’t jump off the page and get you!
Critical Analysis:
Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop have teamed up to bring readers an informational book about tarantulas from the rainforests of French Guiana. They look into the research of Sam Marshall to introduce wonderful facts and pictures about the hairy, and often scary tarantula. Tarantulas are beautiful? They are according to Sam, each page is home to the beautiful photography of Nic Bishop and descriptors of each photograph. This book is an excellent informational read for anyone interested or not in tarantulas. Also learn ‘science speak’, what is an arachnologist? A person who studies arachnids. At the back of the book is a section of arachnid-terminology to help readers become familiar with the science of these furry little beings. Whlle readers may not be fond of holding spiders, this book also shows kids who actually are handling some of them and some are involved in doing research of their own.
Review Excerpts:
“Superb color photos abound in this spectacular series addition….This is a vivid look at an enthusiastic scientist energetically and happily at work….A treat, even for arachnophobes.” – School Library Journal, starred review “Another stellar excursion into the world of working scientists….Crisp, detailed photographs and clear, lively prose….It’s enough to make Miss Muffet fall in love.” – Kirkus Review, starred review “Might convince young readers to go beyond the elemental pleasures of ‘Ew, gross,’ to be the more sophisticated appreciation of ‘Wow, cool.’” – The Bulletin, starred review “Another excellent entry in the Scientists in the Field series….The color photography is outstanding, and so very interesting that even the squeamish may take a second look af the flossy and hairy tarantulas portrayed in close detail.” – Horn Book “Montgomery and Bishop….team up once again to deliver another fascinating slice of the natural world.” --Booklist
Awards:
· 2005 -- Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
· 2005 – Texas Bluebonnet Award Winner (Texas)
· 2005 – NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book
· 2005 – Notable Children’s Book in the Language
· 2005 – Voice of Youth Advocates Nonfiction Honor Book
· 2004 – John Burroughs Honor List of Nature Book
· 2004 – school Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Connections:
(The following activities were written by Leigh Lewis, an elementary school teacher in Wynne, Arkansas.) http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/readers_guides/tarantula/
Picture a Tarantula is an activity that builds observation skills. Students will listen to a description of a Goliath bird eater tarantula and draw a picture from that description. This activity points out the importance of detail. It links science, reading/literacy, and art in a way that students love!
Classify, Classify, Classify is an activity that can be utilized in a variety of ways. Students will hear how living organisms are classified, and then they will look at the animals pictured in the book and decide how they should be classified. This is truly an adventure! Once students collect the data, they will organize the information in tables and graphs. Students can do this individually or in groups. This activity links math, science, and technology.
Creature Search is an activity that combines science, writing, and reading. Students will be given a topic from The Tarantula Scientist to research. They will then do a written and oral report. As an added bonus students will be learning about many fascinating plants and animals that live in the jungles and rainforests that are rapidly being destroyed.
The Spider Crossword Puzzle is a fun conclusion to a great book. Students will read The Tarantula Scientist, and then put all of their newly acquired knowledge to use by filling in the puzzle.
Nonfiction:
Tarantula by Edana Eckart
The Tarantula in my Purse by Jean Craighead George
Fiction:
Tarantula Toes (Cul de Sac Kids #13) by Beverly Lewis
Tarantula Power by Agnes Whitehead Nagda
Post a Comment