Overview

A praying mantis waits for its prey insect to appear. Then like lightning the mantis strikes! Learn how praying mantises hunt reproduce and protect themselves with thrilling details and awesome augmented reality experiences.

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9781728402734

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Reviews

""Engaging text describes the creatures' attributes and behaviors. . . . First-rate nonfiction, with a multimedia tie-in.""—School Library Journal ""A not-too-creepy introduction to a unique insect.""—Booklist

There is something innately fascinating about the praying mantis, so this up-close study of the insect will naturally draw kids curious about nature. Even better, as part of the Creepy Crawlers in Action: Augmented Reality series (6 titles), it features three photos that come to life with the free Lerner AR app, though it's not necessary to enjoy the book. The text itself describes the life cycle of the European praying mantis--the green, folded creature most North Americans will picture--positioning it as an arthropod and ambush predator that helps keep insect populations in check. One large digital illustration diagrams a female mantis' internal anatomy, while mostly well-chosen photos appear on all other pages in support of the text's topics, from molting to emerging nymphs to hunting. A not-too-creepy introduction to a unique insect. --Booklist -- (4/1/2021 12:00:00 AM) Well-rounded arthropod profiles utilize words, photos, and an extra augmented reality component. Engaging text describes the creatures' attributes and behaviors. The lively scientific tone highlights fascinating facts and concepts without sensationalizing. Excellent photographs with useful captions show key physical features. Two noteworthy spreads present full-body views: photographs show the outside, while a drawing shows internal organs. Readers with a smartphone can access the augmented reality feature by downloading an app, then scanning a marked image on the page. A 3-D animated image pops up on the phone screen. There are three per book; most are visually appealing without significantly extending the information. More impressive examples include the expansion of a tick's body as it feeds (Ticks) and the jumping spider's mating dance (Jumping Spiders). This feature may increase engagement for some readers, but there's also plenty of excellent content for the print-only audience. VERDICT First-rate nonfiction, with a multimedia tie-in. --School Library Journal -- (4/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

There is something innately fascinating about the praying mantis, so this up-close study of the insect will naturally draw kids curious about nature. Even better, as part of the Creepy Crawlers in Action: Augmented Reality series (6 titles), it features three photos that come to life with the free Lerner AR app, though it's not necessary to enjoy the book. The text itself describes the life cycle of the European praying mantis--the green, folded creature most North Americans will picture--positioning it as an arthropod and ambush predator that helps keep insect populations in check. One large digital illustration diagrams a female mantis' internal anatomy, while mostly well-chosen photos appear on all other pages in support of the text's topics, from molting to emerging nymphs to hunting. A not-too-creepy introduction to a unique insect.--Booklist -- Journal (4/1/2021 12:00:00 AM) Well-rounded arthropod profiles utilize words, photos, and an extra augmented reality component. Engaging text describes the creatures' attributes and behaviors. The lively scientific tone highlights fascinating facts and concepts without sensationalizing. Excellent photographs with useful captions show key physical features. Two noteworthy spreads present full-body views: photographs show the outside, while a drawing shows internal organs. Readers with a smartphone can access the augmented reality feature by downloading an app, then scanning a marked image on the page. A 3-D animated image pops up on the phone screen. There are three per book; most are visually appealing without significantly extending the information. More impressive examples include the expansion of a tick's body as it feeds (Ticks) and the jumping spider's mating dance (Jumping Spiders). This feature may increase engagement for some readers, but there's also plenty of excellent content for the print-only audience. VERDICT First-rate nonfiction, with a multimedia tie-in.--School Library Journal -- Journal (4/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

Author Information

Sandra Markle is the author of numerous award-winning books for children. A former elementary science teacher, she is a nationally-known science education consultant. Markle has received many honors for her series Animal Predators, Animal Scavengers, and Animal Prey. Several titles have been named as National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)/Children’s Book Council (CBC) Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, and Animal Predators was honored as a Top 10 Youth Nonfiction Series by Booklist. Over 500 schools participate in Markle's Book Explorers program which provides free resource-packed emails and classroom activities. Markle lives in Lakewood Ranch, Florida with her husband, photographer Skip Jeffery.

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