Nature Shockers. (Planet Earth News). Keltie Thomas. Illustrated by Greg Hall. Toronto, ON: Maple Tree Press, 2005. 64 pp., pbk. & cl., $12.95 (pbk.), $21.95 (cl.). ISBN 1-897066-30-9 (pbk.), ISBN 1-897066-29-5. Subject Headings: Nature-Miscellanea-Juvenile literature. Natural history-Miscellanea-Juvenile literature. Curiosities and wonders-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-7 / Ages 8-12. Review by Elaine Fuhr. **** /4

excerpt:

ATTACK of Killer Plants: A hundred years ago, people-eating trees and killer plants that grew in far-flung places were the stuff of many a legend. And in 1951, John Wyndham wrote The Day of the Triffids - a science fiction story in which giant carnivorous or meat-eating plants attack people. The Triffids’ goal was to eliminate the human race and take over Earth. But what makes the story particularly creepy is that the Triffids have some characteristics of real carnivorous plants.

Keltie Thomas has written her fascinating children's book in newspaper format with bold, attention grabbing headlines. She transports the reader from country to country around the world, back in history and forward to the future with bizarre facts to awe the scientist in every child. One special feature includes the reader in the search for truth. Hoax Busters test readers’ knowledge with true or false questions, and the correct answers may amaze even the most knowledgeable. Helping readers find truth in the volumes of information that bombard the public, Thomas reveals schemes, such as the appearance of crop circles, that fooled the public all over the world and sent scientists scrambling to study these anomalies.

     Nature Shockers is beautifully illustrated by Greg Hall. Illustrations are bold and colorful, creating a perfect synergy that delights the reader and highlights the incredible facts contained within this volume.

     Nature Shockers is a book all librarians should have in their science collections.

Highly Recommended.

Elaine Fuhr, of Wabamum, AB, is a teacher.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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