THE SNAKE SCIENTIST

Written by Sy Montgomery
Pictures by Nic Bishop
ISBN: 9780395871690

Bibliography:
Montgomery, Sy, and Nic Bishop. 1999. The Snake Scientist. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Plot:
Montgomery takes us on a journey to the Narcisse snake dens in Manitoba, Canada where she follows the work of Bob Mason as he studies the red-sided garter snake.

Analysis:
Did you know that snakes communicate to each other using pheromones? Did you know that snakes can swallow prey bigger than their own heads? Did you also know that snakes don’t have ears, but pick up vibrations of sound with the bones of their jaws? These are just a few of the amazing facts one will discover when reading The Snake Scientist. Montgomery urges the reader to keep an open mind regarding the feared creatures by saying,“Many people are afraid of snakes. But don’t be afraid! You’ll miss out on some amazing and mysterious animals.” This enthralling book is one that will perhaps make a feared enemy into a friend and create an appreciation for these wondrous creatures.

Montgomery shows us that snakes are intriguing creatures from which we can all learn. The large, thought- provoking pictures alone will create a thirst for more knowledge. Children will be delighted to see pictures of other children holding these harmless snakes. Montgomery carefully explains difficult words such as pheromones in a simple way as she takes the reader from simple facts to more complex information. An index is provided as well as a list of books for further reading on the subject. Montgomery encourages curiosity and leaves the reader with even more questions that will motivate a continued study of the snakes of Narcisse which is truly science at work!

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal: “The lively text communicates both the meticulous measurements required in this kind of work and the thrill of new discoveries. Large, full-color photos of the zoologist and young students at work, and lots of wriggly snakes, pull readers into the presentation. A list of "unsolved mysteries" about the snakes and instructions on visiting the snake dens will keep interest high to the very last page.”

Horn Book: “Each spring, 18,000 red-sided garter snakes emerge from underground dens in Manitoba, Canada. Earthwatch volunteers and students gather them up, and the snakes then participate in a day's behavioral experiments directed by zoologist Bob Mason. With a research topic whose kid appeal is hard to beat, this is a solid introduction to the ethos of experimental science as seen by a genial scientist.”

Connections:
*This book would serve as a great introduction to the scientific method.

*This book has many examples of animal adaptations and would be a great resource in the science classroom.

*Other books by Sy Montgomery include:
The Tarantula Scientist ISBN: 9780618147991
The Man-Eating Tigers of Sundarbans ISBN: 9780618494903
Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea ISBN: 9780618496416