![]() ![]() In 1799, the first scientists to examine a preserved platypus body judged it a fake, made of several animals sewn together. The unusual appearance of this egg-laying, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it. It is one of the few species of venomous mammals, as the male platypus has a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom, capable of causing severe pain to humans. Like other monotremes, it senses prey through electrolocation. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. ![]() The platypus is the sole living representative or monotypic taxon of its family ( Ornithorhynchidae) and genus ( Ornithorhynchus), though a number of related species appear in the fossil record. This does not affect the content of my review.The platypus ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus), sometimes referred to as the duck-billed platypus, is a semiaquatic, egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. I received this book from the publisher Walker Books in exchange for an honest review. The book is a wonderful source of learning and a book that would make a much loved one on one read. There are some tricky words which even the 5 year old will find hard to understand and some of the topics in the book may require further conversation with the younger reader. I agree with the age recommendation for this book of 5 and above. This title reminds you of how remarkable the platypus is, very few are seen in the wild but when you do spy the shy monotreme it is a magical moment. I appreciate that the author has given a short but thorough write up at the back of the book aptly titled The Puzzling Platypus. The writer has captured the rare beauty that the platypus is and clearly respects and understands this animal and has the right words to share this with the reader. The information is not only factual but gives some history and a key date that explains the first and somewhat disbelieved sighting of this unique animal. ![]() The large words are more poetic and designed to be read in the form of a story, and, the smaller words are read as prose. This beautifully and factually correct book can be used in two ways, as a non fiction information source and as a story book. The illustrator was the perfect choice for this book. Mark Jackson appears to have used a certain palate of colours which are almost camouflaging and further respects the true nature of the platypus habitat. The illustrations are indescribable, unique and beautiful to the eye. True to their nature you barely notice the platypus as it peaks the very top of its bill above the water before it begins moving again foraging for food. Platypus is perpetual motion – never still.' These poetic words capture the life of the mysterious platypus, who reside in their freshwater dwellings hiding in their burrows on the banks.Īs you turn each page, you discover that in the murky waters lie little surprises like dragonflies that I see from the corner of my eye, the bats that are hanging from trees and a Yabby crawling in the shallows. This book captures this beautiful native Australian animal in all its beauty, the Platypus. Sue was Publishing Manager and Senior Commissioning Editor at Walker Books Australia for ten years, before leaving in 2016 to concentrate on her writing and to work from home as a publishing consultant, freelance editor, writing coach and mentor. Her latest books include, Missing a mystery/suspense novel for readers aged 10+ and the picture book Beware the Deep Dark Forest, illustrated by Annie White. Her middle grade novel Get a Grip, Cooper Jones and nonfiction picture book, Platypus were both named CBCA Notable Books, and her picture book, A Swim in the Sea, illustrated by Meredith Thomas, was the Speech Pathologists’ 2014 Book of the Year. Sue has written numerous books in a variety of genres: fiction and nonfiction, picture books through to YA, and is published in Australia and internationally. A former primary school teacher with a special interest in literacy education and children’s literature, Sue Whiting has worked in the publishing industry for almost twenty years, both as an author and editor of books for children and young adults. ![]()
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