Herp Books For Children

One of the fastest growing areas of herpetology is the book scene--reptile and amphibian books are being published at such an incredible rate that hobbyists often find it difficult to keep track of what is out there. Children's herpetological literature is no exception, and today there's an impressive number of books for young herpers available.

For many herpetologists, their love of reptiles and amphibians began at an early age. Until recently curious youngsters had a limited number of books to turn to for reference. Minn of the Mississippi (H.C. Holling, Houghton Mifflin, 1951), Snakes and Frogs and Toads (H. Zim, William Morrow & Co., 1949 and 1950), and Reptiles and Amphibians (H. Zim and H. Smith, Golden Guide Series, 1953) are classics that inspired many of today's hobbyists.

Since parents often enjoy sharing their hobbies with their children, the following is a list of children's books that Reptile & Amphibian Magazine recommends for young readerss. Most are non-fiction, and all are good introductions to these animals. The fiction books are noted as such; they are not anthropomorphic (with the exception of Old Turtle, a fable), and can be enjoyed by even the youngest children. Herpetologists who give lectures or school presentations will find these books helpful in bridging the gap between herpetology and the general public. We've also included a listing of curriculum resources, journal articles, and other items useful for educators interested in herps.

REPTILES

Scaly Babies, Reptiles Growing Up, by Ginny Johnston and Judy Cutchins. Morrow Junior Books, New York, 1988, 40 pp. Hardcover, $13.95. Ages 3 and up.
Snakes, by Seymour Simon. HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 1992, 32 pp. Hardcover, $16. Ages 5-8.
Snakes, by Erik D. Stoops and Annette T. Wright. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 1992, 80 pp. Hardcover, $14.95. Ages 8 and up.
Snakes, by Sylvia A. Johnson. Lerner Publications, Co., Minneapolis, 1986, 48 pp. Hardcover, $19.95. Ages 9 and up.
Snakes, by Ruth Belov Gross. Four Winds Press, New York, 1990, 64 pp. Hardcover, $13.95. Ages 7-11.
Slinky Snakes, A Book About Snakes, by D.M. Souza. Carolrhoda Books Inc., Minneapolis, 1992, 40 pp. Hardcover, $17.50. Ages 5-9.
Sea Snakes, by Sneed B. Collard III. Boyds Mill Press, Honesdale, Penna., 1993, 32 pp. Hardcover, $12.95. Ages 8-12.
A Water Snake's Year, by Doris Gove. Macmillan Publishing Co., New York, 1991, 32 pp. Hardcover, $13.95. Ages 8-11. (fiction)
A Snake In The House, by Faith McNulty. Scholastic Inc., New York, 1994, 30 pp. Hardcover, $14.95. Ages 3-8. (fiction)
All About Alligators, by Jim Arnosky. Scholastic Inc., New York, 1994, 28 pp. Hardcover, $14.95. Ages 4-8.
Roaring Reptiles, A Book About Crocodiles, by D.M. Souza. Carolrhoda Books, Inc., Minneapolis, 1992, 40 pp. Hardcover, $17.50. Ages 5-9.
What's Under That Shell? A Book About Turtles, by D.M. Souza. Carolrhoda Books, Inc., Minneapolis, 1992, 40 pp. Hardcover, $17.50. Ages 5-9.
Box Turtle At Long Pond, by William T. George. Greenwillow Books, New York, 1989, 24 pp. Hardcover, $14. Ages 3 and up. (fiction)
Old Turtle, by Douglas Wood. Pfeifer-Hamilton Publishers, Duluth, Minnesota, 1992, 44 pp. Hardcover, $17.95. Ages 3 and up. (fiction)
Catch Me If You Can, A Book About Lizards, by D.M. Souza. Carolrhoda Books, Inc., Minneapolis, 1992, 40 pp. Hardcover, $17.50. Ages 5-9.
Chameleons, by Claudia Schnieper. Carolrhoda Books Inc., Minneapolis, 1989, 48 pp. Hardcover, $19.95. Ages 6-10.
Lizards, by Claudia Schnieper. Carolrhoda Books, Inc., Minneapolis, 1990, 48 pp. Hardcover, $19.95. Ages 6-10.
This Snake Is Good, by Helen Copeland. The Delmar Co., Charlotte, N.C., 1968, 182 pp. Softcover, $9.75. Ages 10 and up. (fiction)

AMPHIBIANS

Slippery Babies, Young Frogs, Toads, and Salamanders, by Ginny Johnston and Judy Cutchins. Morrow Junior Books, New York, 1991, 40 pp. Hardcover, $13.95. Ages 3 and up.
Frogs, Toads, Lizards, and Salamanders, by Nancy Winslow Parker and Joan Richards Wright. Greenwillow Books, New York, 1990, 48 pp. Hardcover, $14. Ages 3 and up.
A Frog's Body, by Joanna Cole. William Morrow and Co., New York, 1980, 48 pp. Hardcover, $14.93. Ages 3 and up.
Frogs and Toads, by Jane Dallinger and Sylvia A. Johnson. Lerner Publications Co., Minneapolis, 1982, 48 pp. Hardcover, $19.95. Ages 8 and up.
Tree Frogs, by Sylvia A. Johnson. Lerner Publications Co., Minneapolis, 1986, 48 pp. Hardcover, $19.95. Ages 8 and up.
The Complete Frog, A Guide For The Very Young Naturalist, by Elizabeth A. Lacey. Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books, New York, 1989, 72 pp. Hardcover, $12.95. Ages 3 and up.
Salamanders, by Cherie Winner. Carolrhoda Books, Inc., Minneapolis, 1993, 48 pp. Hardcover, $19.95. Ages 8 and up.
Red-Spotted Newt, by Doris Gove. Macmillan Publishing Co., New York, 1994, 28 pp. Softcover, $14.95. Ages 7 and up. (fiction)

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

These curriculum resources were suggested by Dreux J. Watermolen, Division of Natural Sciences, St. Norbert College in A Bibliography of Children's Literature and Educational Resources on Amphibians and Reptiles (Smithsonian Herpetological Information Service, No. 93, 1992). They should be available through academic libraries or interlibrary loan services.

Snakes! Snakes! Snakes! Nature Naturally, 7(1):1-6; anonymous, 1983.
Hands on Herps. Science Activities, 24(4): 27-30; anonymous, 1987.
Snaking Through Science. Science Teacher, 50(4):20-23; S.S. Chattin, 1983.
The Classroom Animal, Science & Children, all by D.C. Kramer:
Garter Snakes, 22(2):34-35, 1984
Painted Turtles, 22(8):42-43, 1985
Tree Frogs, 23(2):30-31, 1985
Box Turtles, 23(5):55-57, 1986
Snapping Turtles, 24(5):22-24, 1987
Newts, 25(3):42-43, 1987
Hurray for Herps! Naturescope, 3(4):1-69; National Wildlife Federation, 1987.
Children and Humane Behavior: Are Snakes Included? Children's Environments Quarterly, 1(3):27-29; L.B. Nethery, 1984.
Leaps in Learning. Learning, 16(5):48-52; S. Ohanian, 1988.
The Class Menagerie: Using Small Animals to Enrich your Science Curriculum. Learning, 15(5):64-66; R.W. Smith, 1987.

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