by Francoise Vulpe
Firefly Books, 2023
ISBN 9780228104131 (sc)
ISBN 9780228104216 (hc)
$14.95 / $29.95, 72 pp, ages 9 – 12
fireflybooks.com
Animal Eyes starts by introducing readers to the the types of eyes that exist within the animal kingdom: camera eye (human), eyespots, simple eyes, and compound eyes. With the support of detailed diagrams and photographs, the biology of animal eyes and how they work is explained. The physics of light and colour, visual fields, and features that have evolved over time to keep eyes safe are also addressed. Following the detailed introduction, there is a description of forty of the planet’s most fascinating animal eyes (vertebrate and invertebrate). Detailed captions, clear and informative text, a glossary, thoughtfully selected photographs (most of them are amazing close-ups), and the artful cover and interior design make this an intriguing book for students aged 9 to 12.
Classroom Connections: Animal Eyes would support the study of many science topics—adaptation, evolution, biodiversity, body structures, sensing and responding, to name just a few. Reading strategies that could be highlighted are making connections, questioning, and inferring.
Review by Brenda Boreham.
This review is featured in Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Winter 2024 issue.