Sy Montgomery's "The Tarantula Scientist" Book review

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Montgomery, Sy. 2004. The Tarantula Scientist. Boston. Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0-618-14799-3

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Most people think tarantulas are dangerous and venomous creatures. In this extremely visual and informative book, The Tarantula Scientist, author Sy Montgomery, reveals the true nature of tarantulas, and provides a closer look at these magnificent arachnids in a fun and innovative manner.

The tarantulas dazzle in the photographs taken by award-winning photographer Nic Bishop, who accompanied Scientist and arachnologist, Sam Marshall on an expedition to the French Guiana Rainforest in South America. Author Sy Montgomery, photographer Nic Bishop, and scientist Sam Marshall, “…surprise and delight readers not only with secrets of the giant spiders, but also with fascinating discoveries about the nature of science itself,” making this book informative and intriguing.

3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book consists of eighty pages of informative text on tarantulas, where they came from, explains their origins, describes their habitats, environments, natural instincts and attributes, and explains what makes them unique, in a world full of different creatures. The Tarantula Scientist, is Sam Marshall, who is an arachnologist, whose life background helps establish how he became a scientist and how following his passion made him the scientist he is today. Tarantulas are one of a kind creatures, and in the book the special feature is the Goliath Bird eater Tarantula. This book will make the reader feel as if they are exploring the rainforest looking for tarantulas alongside with the team!

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

The Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books starred review: “…This would liven up a science curriculum no end, it might also convince young readers to go beyond the elemental pleasures of ‘Ew, gross’ to the more sophisticated appreciation of ‘Wow, cool.”

The Monadnock Ledger starred review: “…The Tarantula Scientist offers an up-close look at creatures most of us know little about, and convinces us to care about them. The book is beautiful, and tarantulas who creep around each page make it fun

 

5. CONNECTIONS

*This book makes students aware of the importance to immerse themselves in what they love and discusses the importance of respecting wild creatures, especially arachnids. There are classroom activities for “The Tarantula Scientist” at https://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/librarian/teachers.shtml

*Other nonfiction books about exploring wildlife creatures:

Montgomery, Sy. The Snake Scientist. ISBN 978-0547576985

Turner, Pamela S. The Frog Scientist. ISBN 978-0547576985