Animal Colors by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes

Animals Black

and White (pb)

$6.95

0-88106-959-0

written and illustrated by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes

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Phyllis Limbacher Tildes deftly delivers the pieces to put together these pattern puzzles. First, take a peek at each animal and read a short clue. Can you guess who it is? Turn the page, and the answer is revealed. Animal facts are included at the end.

Honors: Black and White

"Pick of the Lists" Fall 1996 American Bookseller

1997 NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children

Children's Choice Award 1997

Review of Animals, Black and White

The book is arranged as a series of riddles; a description of a black-and-white animal is given on the left page and a close-up of its body covering on the right. "I live in the misty mountains far, far to the east. I love to chew bamboo. What am I?" The reader has two clues to the animal's identity, the verbal and the visual. The two pages following each riddle reveal the animal in its habitat and also supply factual information. Several of the black-and-white animals included are predictable: panda, zebra, and skunk, but there are some surprises, too. One would not expect to see the orca whale, the arctic loon, or the African swallowtail butterfly, but they are beautiful and interesting examples. The text of the riddles is rich with figurative language; the riddle accompanying the zebra describes animals who gallop gracefully on the grassy plains of Africa. The book will be enjoyed and will encourage the development of thinking skills.

(Library Talk, January/February 1999)

Review of Animals, Brightly Colored

Another of the "guess the animal" type of book with colorful illustrations and interesting facts about wildlife ranging from cardinals to caterpillars.

Review of Animals in Camoflage

(Parent & Preschooler Newsletter, October 1999

Tildes presents more riddles on animals, this time focusing on those that use camouflage in order to survive. Seven unusual animals hide from predators and prey in these pages: polar bear, white-tailed deer, horned owl, crab spider, Ceylon leaf insect, leafy sea dragon, and tree frog. Tildes gives clues and invites viewers to guess the name of the hidden animal, then provides a closer look at the animal, making the camouflaging details more apparent. This title will work well for group viewing. An afterword includes the names of the types of camouflage and additional information about the featured animals.

(Kirkus Reviews, January 2000)

A striking book for children, filled with colorful illustrations that reveal creatures from the animal world that blend with nature's wonders. What creature disguises itself as a plant? A picture in this book hides the animal on one page and reveals it on the next. Dramatic and easy to read, this book covers subjects that are interesting and not all will be known to many children and their parents. Descriptions are provided of each animal in the appendix. Well done, this book is recommended for children ages 6-10, and to younger children with adults assistance.

(Chicago Botanic Garden, September 2000).

Tildes presents seven creatures, each of which is introduced with a page of clues to its identity opposite an eye-catching gouache illustration of the critter in its habitat. Subsequent pages identify the hidden creature and give a few additional facts and another detailed, close-up illustration of the animal.The simple text is printed in extra-large type. Even children too young to read will enjoy guessing "What am I?" and searching among snow, leaves, blossoms, and seaweed to find a polar bear, leaf insect, great horned owl, crab spider, leafy sea dragon, white-tailed deer, and tree frog. The closing pages describe camouflage tactics and give another paragraph about each species. Simpler in text than Jim Arnosky's handsome I See Animals Hiding(1995) or Jennifer Owings Dewey's vivid Can You Find Me? (1994, both Scholastic), and definitely more basic than Joyce Powzyk's elegantly informative Animal Camouflage (Bradbury, 1990; o.p.). Tildes's deserves a place in quality collections of natural history.

(School Library Journal, April 2000)

Incredible illustrations highlight Animals in Camouflage, a striking book introducing young readers to wildlife that conceals itself from predators or that lie in wait for prey by taking on the colors and patterns of their surroundings. The lush illustrations will enthrall young readers ages 3 to 8, and clues to seven remarkably well-hidden animals will draw them into new worlds. From the frozen tundra to the deep blue sea to the green riot of the jungle, Animals in Camouflage will thrill and astound children with this fascinating aspect of the animal kingdom. Further exploration of the habits and lives of the animals portrayed is provided in the back of the book.

(Children's Bookwatch, February 2000)

A nonfiction book written for the early elementary student interested in the animal kingdom and the use of camouflage to hide from predators and prey. Seven animals are hidden in seven paintings. Using a large colorful picture format and easy-to-read written clues, children try first to guess and then, with the turn of the page, discover what animal is hidden in each painting. Successful methods of camouflage, blending, color change, disguise, and pattern are described. More information is given on each animal at the end of the book.

(Bookselling This Week, April 10, 2000, Kids' Pick of the Lists)

Animals in Camouflage by Phyllis Tildes visits forests, flower gardens, trees, the ocean and the Arctic in search of camouflaged animals. Some mimic a plant, others use patterns of their surroundings, and some even change their color so they can hide.

Tildes provides clues to the animals' identities but "covers" the animals on a double-page spread. A turn of the page reveals the animals' name and location.

(The Leaf-Chronicle -- Clarksville, TN, 3/15/00)

Each set of illustrations in this book is accompanied by a short, clue-filled description of an animal. Readers are to use these clues to find the animal. On the following page more information and the identity of the animal are given. Seven creatures are described: a polar bear, a leaf insect, a great horned owl, a crab spider, a leafy sea dragon, a fawn, and a tree frog. Each animal blends so well into the wonderful illustrations that it's difficult to find it. The next page pictures the animal clearly. A final section, titled "Did you know?" provides more information about each featured animal and discusses some of the most successful methods of camouflage, such as blending, color change, and pattern. The print in this simply written book is large, and the full-page illustrations are colorful. This would be a useful book to include in an animal unit for younger students.

(Library Talk, September/October 2000)

Tildes involves young readers in a game of hide and seek, using both textual and visual clues, then introduces the animals up-close on the next page. Readers will return to the illustrations again and again. The conclustion provides additional facts about the animals, and their habitats and habits.

(Yellow Brick Road, May/June 2000)