The Puzzle of the Platypus—and Other Explorations of Science in Action

Science News,  April 12, 2008  

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THE PUZZLE OF THE PLATYPUS--and

Other Explorations of Science in Action

JACK MYERS AND JOHN RICE

Created for 9- to 12-year-olds, the stories (and the art by Rice) in this book illustrate how researchers have used science to solve animal mysteries through time. In the title story, 19th century European scientists ask whether Australia's platypus is a furry amphibian, strangely evolved bird or funky mammal. Written by the late zoologist Jack Myers, who for more than 40 years brought science to readers of Highlights for Children magazine, the book explains why all of these possibilities seemed reasonable 200 years ago. Tales of modern-day exploration recount how biologists test the toolmaking abilities of crows or investigate why Amazon macaws descend to a particular river bank to carefully mine--and then eat--a special layer of clay. The rattlesnake tale explores how these cold-blooded predators get by on so few meals. These 11 tales are short, punctuated by bright illustrations and reported in Myers' characteristically conversational style. Boyds Mills Press, 2008, 64 p., hardcover, $17.95.

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