Who's Like Me?

The books in the ‘Uncover and Discover’ series are an excellent introduction to biology for young children. Who’s Like Me? provides a first look at animal classification. The identifying characteristics of mammals, fish, reptiles, birds and amphibians are each explained in a way understandable by the age group. I agree with the thinking here: it is best to start with a specific example. So, in the case of the mammal category, children learn through a large picture and clear text that a rabbit is ‘furry and has four legs’. On the opposite page of the double spread are four user friendly flaps and children are invited to identify which of the animals underneath has the same physical characteristics as the rabbit. After choosing the fox the child turns the page and finds a lightly annotated picture of foxes in their habitat. Text, written as if it were the rabbit talking, explains the features all mammals share. The final double spread invites a revisit to each class of animals – not a new idea but it works well here. This carefully thought out book would be a helpful and attractive resource for the nursery and early years classroom.