Product Description
From tiny to gigantic, from drab to remarkably beautiful, from harmless to venomous, lizards are spectacular products of natural selection. This book, lavishly illustrated with color photographs, is the first comprehensive reference on lizards around the world. Accessible, scientifically up-to-date, and written with contagious enthusiasm for the subject, Lizards: Windows to the Evolution of Diversity covers species evolution, diversity, ecology, and biology. Eric R. Pianka and Laurie J. Vitt have studied and photographed members of almost all lizard families worldwide, and they bring to the book a deep knowledge based on extensive firsthand experience with the animals in their natural habitats.
Part One explores lizard lifestyles, answering such questions as why lizards are active when they are, why they behave as they do, how they avoid predators, why they eat what they eat, and how they reproduce and socialize. In Part Two the authors take us on a fascinating tour of the world's manifold lizard species, beginning with iguanians, an evolutionary group that includes some of the most bizarre lizards, the true chameleons of Africa and Madagascar. We also meet the glass lizard, able to break its tail into many highly motile pieces to distract a predator from its body; lizards that can run across water; and limbless lizards, such as snakes. Part Three gives an unprecedented global view of evolutionary trends that have shaped present-day lizard communities and considers the impact of humans on their future.
A definitive resource containing many entertaining anecdotes, this magnificent book opens a new window to the natural world and the evolution of life on earth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A wonderfully comprehensive overview of an amazing group
Without a doubt, this book is the most comprehensive overview of lizard evolution and ecology, available on the market today. Pianka & Vitt take readers on a tour through the many aspects of the lacertilian suborder. In the process, they show one how incredibly useful lizards have been for science.

The book is broken up into three sections. The first section gives an overview of lizards in general. It goes over the basic anatomy, and the distinct differences between the three main lizard groups (Iguania, Gekkota & Autarchoglossa). The second section goes more in depth about each major group. It gives a breakdown of all the major families, and even goes so far as to explain the different genera in each. The final section takes the reader through a brief history of the squamata. It explains their evolution throughout the Mesozoic, and ending with a chapter on relationship of lizards with people.

The appendix, at the end, gives a taxonomic summary of all the lizard genera known for each family; along with a total species count. While this is already a bit out of date (sad fate for all published material dealing with taxonomy), it is a nice addition.

The chapter on lizards and humans, has a nice section talking about lizards as pets. In the past, herpetologists have often frowned on the keeping of lizards as pets. Pianka & Vitt considered doing the same. Yet, as they mention: "We would be hypocrites if we did." They realize that most up and coming (and many professional) herpetologists/paleontologists, keep/kept lizards as pets. Herpetoculture is here to stay. As such, it makes more sense to learn the most one can about the animal they intend to keep. Reading words of acceptance from those in the field, is always an encouraging thing to see.

Of course, not everything about the book is perfect. I did have some minor gripes with it.

For starters, I took minor issue with the treatment of the three main lizard groups. In particular, the treatment of Iguanians compared to the scleroglossans. The scleroglossan lizards are often exalted above the iguanians, at the latter's expense. I can understand Pianka & Vitt's reasoning behind this. Scleroglossa make up the majority of living lacertilians, yet remain the least studied group of lizards out there. In that sense, I can't blame the authors for wanting to put more emphasis on this group. I just wish that it didn't appear to be at the expense of the iguanians. It's not done all that often, and it's never intentional, but every once in a while, a comment is made on the archaic nature of iguanians that tends to make them out as sounding inferior.

A neat thing about the second part of the book, is that Pianka & Vitt do explain the meaning behind many of the genus names. Unfortunately, they don't do it for all of them. This wouldn't be so troublesome if it didn't happen so randomly. For instance, in the beginning of the agamid descriptions, a definition for each genus name is given. Yet at, roughly, the last third of the section, the definitions just stop. It remains this way until well into Iguanidae (a quick blurb at Leiocephalinae) before disappearing again. Gekkotans get a brief, but acute, set of definitions (done as an example of how many are named after their toes), with some other definitions sprinkled in throughout the rest of the chapter. It continues like this throughout the rest of this section. As such, it leaves readers such as myself (who enjoy the meanings behind the names) left wanting more.

Finally, the last real gripe I have about the book is in respect to the trend, in recent years, to apply cladistic methods to classification. Throughout the book, mentions are made on the monophyly of one group vs. the paraphyly of another. That in itself, is not bad, but when it interferes with classification, it becomes an annoyance. One area in particular, is the way in which snakes are handled. The group, itself, is descended from a lizard ancestor. Yet, snakes are still classified as a separate collection of squamates; which is fine (the same happens with mammals and therapsids, among other examples). My problem with the book, is that the authors feel this need to mention how "snakes are lizards too." It's pounded into one's head at the beginning, and towards the end of the book. Yet, the snakes themselves, are hardly ever mentioned. There is no section of the various families of snakes out there. Nor any real mention of their various life histories. So, I'm left wondering: Why bother mentioning the "snakes are lizards too" bit? If one is going to insist of abiding by the cladistic paradigm in classification, then one should follow through with it.

With that said, please keep in mind that I do consider all of these to be minor gripes. The book is still a must read for anyone with more than just a passing interest in this amazing group of animals, and the author's chilling take on the status of our planet (last section of the final chapter) is another must read for any young biologist, preparing to enter the field.

Highly recommended.

Pianka and Vitt's "Lizards" a remarkable contribution
This book is truly amazing!As a scientist, I have read hundreds of works, but never have I encountered a better combination of scientific rigor coupled with what one might call, popular appeal.The authors have basically provided the contribution of record on lizard biology, while simulataneously producing one of the most interesting coffee table "thumb-throughs" that one could imagine.First the biological rigor.Pianka and Vitt break the book into three sections, very appropriately I believe, beginning with lizard behavior--evolution, life history, context.These seven chapters lead naturally to a second section, six chapters devoted to lizard diversity.Not anatomical or taxonomical hell at all, but brilliantly protrayed, ecologically situated depiction of form and function, from iguanas to dragons.The third section ties together the ethology, the diversity of genera, as a well articulated synthesis.In so doing in this concluding synthesis, the authors have managed to write a tutorial that is extremely valuable as a stand alone study plan for teaching evolution and biology to students of just about any level of sophistication.Yes, the book provides comprehensive documentation, references, and taxonomic details--it is a remarkable scientific work.But it is one that can't be put down--the authors even share their personal histories of interest, and they embed numberous "so what? boxes".I found the professional quality photo's to merit review themselves as a contribution to photography.In fact, after walking through the habitat-borne illustrations, I felt that I had spent an eye-opening day with these creatures."Lizards: Windows to the Evolution of Diversity" is a must for biologists, and a gotta have for anyone interested in creatures.Harry Greene's foreward claim that the book is "a survey of unprecedented depth and breadth" is classic understatement. ... Read more

Product Description
From award-winning author Joy Cowley comes an engaging story of two unlikely, but inseparable friends. Snake is elegant, calm and a little self-centered, while Lizard is exuberant and irrepressible. Through a series of small (and not so small) adventures, the two friends bicker, compete with each other, go into business and finally, end up as lifelong friends.

There is something the matter with your voice.
Ga-runch! Ga-runch! said Snake. I've got a frog in my throat! she whispered. Lizard said, Oh, I know how to fix that, and he gave Snake a mighty slap on her back. The frog shot out of Snake s mouth. It landed in the grass and, quick as a blink, it hopped away.
My supper! cried Snake. That was my supper! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great lessons for kids that they won't realize they are learning
I brought a few books home that came in our last elementary school library book order, but had not been getting checked out. The first one I read, I could see why the kids weren't reading it. This one, however, I will have no trouble talking up to the kids. It's about two friends, a snake and a lizard, who become best friends in spite of their differences. Every short chapter is about them having to work out some kind of problem. It's funny and cute and a bit silly. I think kids of 2/3 grade (maybe 1st too) will love it. In fact, I will recommend to teachers as a read-aloud, especially in classes where kids are having trouble working out their problems. It's a shame this book is not written as an easy reader chapter book--I really think that it would get attract many more readers in that format.

Lizards and snakes for little boys are great
My son was having trouble wanting to read Chapter books, but loved non-fiction books about snakes.The Snake and Lizard book combines the best of both worlds and it teaches morals as well. It's a book of separte stories about the unlikely friendship between a snake and a lizard.Each story teaches a friendship lesson and is engaging to my son. The illustrations are beautiful too.

AESOP TODAY
My title is a little bit unfair.These delightful animal stories are more tales than fables.There is no explicit moral drawing here.The emphasis is on friendship and the differences between people that can help or destroy friendship. The voices are confident and funny and the desert setting adds to the story.
A delighful bedtime read for a 'clever' child who enjoys little problems and how they are solved in a story context.
The only reason for the four stars is that the stories are not all perfect. But,in total a delightful read.

Slick
I appreciate children's books that acknowledge the bloodthirsty nature of the wild. Oh now look what I've gone and done. With one little sentence I've given you the impression that the book I'm about to discuss is a hardscrabble tale of animals fighting it out amongst one another in the wild. But Snake and Lizard isn't like that. Not really. A collection of small, sweet little tales this book is a series of bedtime stories ideal for the literary child. A beautiful little package in and of itself, don't be surprised when you find that the author manages to work quite a lot of humor out of the food chain. This may not be a rough and tough look at nature, but it certainly plumbs quite a bit of humor out of natural inclinations and instincts.

Snake and Lizard are friends and have been for some time. Really, it's appropriate that the first time they met they got into a huge argument over who was blocking the path. These two friends tend to argue a fair amount but when all is said and done because it's their differences that keep life interesting. In a series of fifteen short stories, Snake and Lizard encounter bad moods, discuss ancient legends, and eventually come up with a business that suits their own individual talents well. The text is accompanied by artist Gavin Bishop's full-color illustrations.

Reptilian buddy tales usually conjure up Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad tales before anything and everything else. Generally, it is rare to find early chapter stories like Snake and Lizard that involve animal protagonists where the two creatures are of opposite genders. Snake is a girl and Lizard is a boy, but this fact never really seems to affect Cowley's plot in any way. Nor are the characters prone to any kind of stereotyping based on their sex. Snake, for example, can be a bit bloodthirsty in her quest for food.

To be honest with you, some of the tales in this collection work better than others. I was quite fond of the macabre and very funny twist at the end of the story "Secrets" and the subplot that threads through several stories involving Snake and Lizard trying to be "helpers". I was less taken with tales like "In the Garden" and "The Bad Mood" that end too suddenly and with punch lines that don't really work. As the book goes on, these flat falling stories appear less and less and Cowley's voice becomes increasingly sure and steady. The author has a keen ear for a good line too. For example, there is the moment in "The Adventure" when Lizard complains to Snake at night that he's bored. Attempting to get some sleep Snake replies, "When I'm sleep, I like being bored." No arguments here.

To be perfectly honest with you, I was originally drawn to this book because of the illustrations. When I first saw Snake and Lizard I assumed that it would be similar to another early chapter book import of short animal related stories called Sheep And Goat by Marleen Westera. In that little bit of loveliness the short stories are accompanied by Sylvia van Ommen's pen-and-ink illustrations, which is pretty standard these days. Imagine my surprise then when I found that all the stops had been pulled out and Bishop's illustrations were rendered here in vibrant full color. Using a desert palette of bright reds, soft umbers, and sandy browns, Bishop's watercolors pop off the page. Each two-page spread has at least one and sometimes two of these little jolts of hue and the endpapers (an amalgamation of different animal and insect characters that appear in these stories) are practically worth the price of the book alone.

For a book that was originally published in New Zealand, Bishop almost seems like he's hedging his bets when it comes to certain illustrations. For example, there's a long and lovely subplot that involves a ten-cent coin. This would probably be New Zealand currency, but Bishop keeps the view of the coin fuzzy enough that anyone from any nation that dispenses coins in the amount of ten cents can make the assumption that the story takes place in their own country. If they have snakes, of course. And lizards. Now that is forethought.

There is a certain breed of short chapter book almost perfectly designed for bedtime reading. Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins is one of these. The aforementioned Sheep And Goat is one of these. And now Snake and Lizard can be one of these too. Sweet and simple little stories, the tales are touch and go for a while there but eventually they even out into a wonderful series of small stories. A lovely addition, a charming collection. ... Read more

Product Description
Join Oscar, Charlie's bright green pet igunana, as he takes a midnight adventure to find out why Charlie's mom has placed glittering greena nd red decorations all around the house. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

definitely awesome
The Christmas Lizard is probably my favorite Christmas book for kids. I love how each of the ornaments in the story represents a piece of Christmas, and it all comes together with the true meaning of Christmas.
I also like the illustrations. I might like this book as much or more than my kids!

wonderful story
Our pastor read this book as part of his sermon during our Christmas celebration. I loved it! It was a great story giving reasons for Christmas,getting the free stuff and helping the needy, but this curious little lizard finds out the true meaning of Christmas. I loved this story so much I wanted to buy it,(my neighbor attends the same church and said she got it from amazon) I bought two copies and my kids are 12 and 16. I gave one copy to my niece.(by the way Cory Edwards also wrote the screenplay of Hoodwinked, although I have not seen it I have heard it is a wonderful movie and family friendly)

book explains so much in a kid friendly story
This book was on display at our local library and I picked it up to read to my 5-year old Lizard loving daughter.I was in tears by the end, and yes we checked it out.It is a charming story that talks about Christmas being about parties, and toys, and Santa and giving to the needy, and family traditions, but it then goes on to explain how these things are all ways to "celebrate Christmas" but that Christmas is about Jesus and God's love for us, and that is why we celebrate.I love this book.We have books that explain the nativity story etc, but this talks about all the other stuff, but brings it back to Jesus' birth.It is very well done.

Great book for Lizard Lovers and Jesus Lovers
My daughter, her bearded dragon, and I loved the beautiful text and pictures in this book. My daughter took it to her preschool on share day - her preschool friends also loved it.Not only is it a great story with whimsical pictures, most importantly it is a wonderful reminder of the true meaning of "Christ"mas.

A great kids Christmas book!
This book is wonderful for several reasons.The big,bright pictures hold my childrens interest,they are 2& 1/2 and 1 years old. The text is short enough on each page to let me read it all before they turn the page. The story explaines all the "things" kids see with the christmas season, and tells them that these "things" are ways to celebrate the real reason for christmas,the birth of Christ! ... Read more

Product Description
A well done general overview of varanid lizards featuring individual accounts for all the monitors, plus coverage of the Burrowing or Earless Monitor of Borneo, Beaded Lizards and the Gila Monster, and the extinct marine varanids the Mosasaurs. Much information on each species habits and habitats. A must have title for anyone interested in monitors. Fully illustrated with 36 excellent color photos, b/w line illustrations, maps, ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Possibly the worst book on varanid lizards ever written.
Aside from the beautiful photography (most of which is mislabled), this book has to be the worst treatment of varanid and helodermid lizards ever written. The author has done little more than regurgitate outdated facts.It seems like the rest he just made up. The taxonomy is a joke, as is therest of the book.

Probably the poorest book on this subject in print.
This book was probably written more to capitalize on the popularity of monitors than to contribute anything either current or accurate. Illustrations are mislabeled, poor drawings, or misleading. Text andtaxonomy are seriously out of date. ... Read more

Product Description
A complete guide to the care of all types of lizards in captivity is provided by this work. The book contains over 100 photographs showing the many striking forms available and full details are given on the biology, behaviour and natural history of lizards. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Water Dragon
I thought this book was very helpful. It contained very important and reliable information. While the information was somewhat limited you should easily be able to find other information on the internet. The pictures werespectacular. They give you a feel of how a healthy Water Dragon should lookand how a sickly Water Dragon should appear. If you are planning topurchase this book you might also have to look just a little for other morespecific information. However if you want the basics on how to care for aWater Dragon I beleive that this book will be very helpful for you.

There are better water dragon care guidelines
The overall basic information in this book is correct, but given thatthere are 2 species of water dragon, 3 Basilisk, and one Sailfin Lizardspecies discussed on only 15 text pages, and the remaining 35 pagesconsisting of caging, diet and health topics for all 6 lizard types, withcommercial products suggested for use scattered throughout this section, Ifind this book to be too minimal to really help anyone but the newest oflizard keepers - and these new lizard keepers just might be better off witha book that goes into more detail.

Philippe de Vosjoli's "Thegeneral care and maintenance of Green water dragons, Sailfin lizards, andBasilisks" or Bartlett & Bartlett's "Anoles, Basilisks, andWater Dragons" would be better books for a new lizard keeper to startout with.

This book has a lot of pictures in it - 70 +, and whilesome of the lizard photographs are beautiful, many show stressed or illlooking lizards with captions that describe the pics as being a normalappearing or healthy lizard. ... Read more

Product Description
Because they don't grow as large as green iguanas andtend to remain docile, green water dragons from SE Asia have surged inpopularity. Sailfin lizards and basilisks with their dorsal and caudalcrests are the most dragon looking of the lizards and make outstandingdisplays. This compact book offers simple instructions for raising andbreeding these impressive lizards. A must for anyone who hasfantasized about having a dragon in their home. 31 pp color. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Brief and consise overview of dragon care
This book contains the 'basic'care and handling information necessary totake care of your water dragon, however, if you are interested in anin-depth look at these wonderous creatures, or more detailed informationregarding their care and history, you may feel a little unsatisfied afterthis short read.It is accurate information, and does give you a 'general'(as the title states) idea of what it takes to care for a dragon. ... Read more

Product Description
The foraging mode of lizards has been a central theme in guiding research in lizard biology for three decades. Foraging mode has been shown to be a pervasive evolutionary force molding the diet, ecology, behavior, anatomy, biomechanics, life history and physiology of lizards. This volume reviews the state of our knowledge on the effects of foraging mode on these and other organismal systems to show how they have evolved, over a wide taxonomic survey of lizard groups. The reviews presented here reveal the continuous nature of foraging strategies in lizards and snakes, providing the reader with an up-to-date review of the field, and will equip researchers with new insights and future directions for the sit-and-wait vs. wide foraging paradigm. This will serve as a reference book for herpetologists, evolutionary biologists, ecologists and animal behaviorists. ... Read more

Product Description
Leapin’ lizards! Kids have always been fascinated by reptiles, both living and extinct. Now, in our latest All Aboard Science Reader, they’ll learn all about lizards that lived with the dinosaurs and still roam the earth today. With clear, simple text and bright, bold artwork, this Station Stop 2 Easy Reader is perfect for the home and classroom! ... Read more

Product Description
Lizard thinks that all lizards are the same, until he arrives at Lizard
Lounge and meets some new reptile friends with different names and
qualities - Gecko, Iguana, Gila Monster, Salamander and Komodo Dragon.
What kind of lizard am I, he wonders, and what makes me different?His
new friends help him to find out . . .
With her lively text and celebrated multi-textured illustrations,
award-winning author/illustrator Laura Hambleton's tells the delightful
story of a lizard who learns that all lizards are not the same and what
makes him unique.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An ideal children's picturebook
Welcome To Lizard Lounge is an ideal children's picturebook where Laura Hambleton has blended an engaging text with brightly colored and multi-textured illustrations. A lizard thinks to himself that all lizards are the same, until he comes to Lizard Lounge and meets a wide variety of lizard friends with different names and qualities - Gecko, Iguana, Gila Monster, Salamander, and Komodo Dragon. His new friends help him learn what kind of lizard he is and what makes him different, in this fun and vibrant read-aloud tale. A consumable page in back encourages young people to cut out and put together a simple paper chameleon of their own.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Lizard TalesReview
This Book is a truly wonderful masterpiece. It has such deep meaning that I truly think we should all think about every day. A definate collectors item. I cannot believe that this is not a bestseller. A true book I can only be grateful that I stumbled across

Lizard TalesReview
This Book is a truly wonderful masterpiece. It has such deep meaning that I truly think we should all think about every day. A definate collectors item. I cannot believe that this is not a bestseller. A true book I can only be grateful that I stumbled across ... Read more

Product Description
A lizard sets out to climb to the place where the edge of the world meets the sky, so that he can look down and see the whole bowl that is the world. ... Read more

Product Description
Autographed copy from author.Over 100 full-color photos(including several by the author).Published by one of the world'sleading animal-oriented publishers.

From the publisher: "easy-to-follow information that is essential tothe proper selection and care of pet lizards.In addition, emphasisis placed upon the natural habitats of individual lizard species,their distribution, and their terrarium requirements." ... Read more

Product Description
This heavily illustrated, lively, and accessible guide covers twenty native and thirty-nine introduced species of lizards and crocodilians found in the Southeast.

Introductory chapters cover the biodiversity of lizards and crocodilians both regionally and globally and discuss lizard and crocodilian life cycles, morphology, habitats, diets, and behaviors. Illustrated, fact-filled descriptions of each species and its habitat comprise the heart of the book. The accounts include a physical description of the species plus information about distribution and habitat, behavior and activity, food and feeding, reproduction, predators and defense, and conservation status. Variations within each species are noted as are taxonomic questions, many of which have arisen because of recent advances in genetic techniques.

Useful information about human interaction with these animals is also covered: how to observe them, how to ensure the survival of native species, how to properly care for pet lizards, and more. Interspersed throughout the book are "Did You Know?" boxes to answer frequently asked questions and to provide interesting facts. Clearly written, cleanly designed, and fun to use, this guide will promote a better understanding of the habitat needs of and challenges to this fascinating group of animals.

Features

- In-depth descriptions of both native and introduced species

- Conservation-oriented approach

- Approximately 330 color photographs

- Approximately 18 distribution maps (for native species only)

- "Did You Know?" sidebars of interesting facts

- Size charts; key identifiers; and information about distribution and habitat, behavior and activity, food and feeding, reproduction, predators and defense, variation and taxonomy, and conservation

- Chapters on lizard and crocodilian biodiversity and on human interactions with lizards and crocodilians ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great fo research and nature-oriented kids
Just what I needed formyMaster Docent job at the SC Aquarium.Great gift for my grandson too.

wish i'd had this when i was a kid!
full of great info and quality images, these books are great for younger herpetological enthusiasts as well as the older, crustier ones....Whit Gibbons contributions to the field are invaluable...

part 4 of a 4 part collection
With the 3 previous titles offered by the authors (snakes, turtles, frogs), this guide makes a complete set. All four books provide all the necessary information for all the amphibians and reptiles of the southeast. Well worth the money and tons of helpful data. All four books get a two thumbs up!! ... Read more

Product Description
This book is divided into 3 parts:

a. Introductions Chapter 1):

i. General history and phylogeny of Lepidosauria, and he evolution and diversity of the neck in Lepidosauria

ii. Descriptions and terminology of he craniocervical region: bone (skull, presacral vertebral column and pectoral girdle) and muscles (superficial, intermediate and deep).

iii. Materials and methods (dissection and observation) with a list of dissected and skeletal specimens and the phylogenetic tree (constructed by other authors) used for the craniocervical character distribution. ... Read more

Product Description
An introduction to the world of insects, caterpillars, and butterflies including identification information, educational activities, and fun facts.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. Safety tips are provided and interesting activities are sugested. Color illustrations enhance the presentation.---HORN BOOKS (Tracks, Scats and Signs) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good Book!
8 Yr old really enjoys this book. He said it helps him to figure out the kind of reptiles that he has seen outside. He even has a salamander he found and it has a lot of info and facts on it.

Excellent learning tool.
I purchased 5 books of this series for my five year old daughter for Christmas, as she is a nature lover and loves anything to do with science.After reviewing these books before giving them, we decided to use them as part of our science program for our home school.These books have bright and colorful pictures, short accurate explanations of the animal, their habitat, eating habits, and even some of the popular anecdotes that go along with the animal.It has the appropriate warning for studying certain animals.What we enjoy most is many of these animals can be found in our back yard to furthur study. Each book deals with three types of animal, such as snakes, salamanders and lizards.They are separated into sections dealing with each type.At the end of the section is a wonderful hands-on project the child can basically do on their own within the recommended age group (9-12) or with some assistance for a younger age group like my daughter. My 5 year old begs us to read these books to her and loves the projects.I highly recommend this bokk and others in the series for those who want their children to learn about nature and how to respect it.I can't wait to obtain the remaining books of this series.

Snakes, Salamanders, and Lizards-- A Children's Delight!
I used Diane Burns' book as an aid for nature programs while I was working as a naturalist. Each animal is depicted in full color with pertinentdetails and hazards to watch for. Young kids love the colorful pictures oftheir favorite "slimy" creatures, while older kids can read theinformation and learn where and when to find the creatures. I found thatBurns' book works better than a more sophisticated source when working withchildren, as it is written at their level -- but adults can also gain muchknowledge from the information. My congratulations to Diane Burns forwriting such a wonderful book! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Cuckoo for Loco for Lizards
Sure, most of us just turn the garden hose on the little varmits so we don't have to hear the missus screaming in the background.But when author Jim Cherry takes us down to their level, we wind up feeling solidarity with our scaley brethren. Cherry scores points early on by informing us that lizards have been here even before Strom Thurmond and he even scores an interview with one of the largest lizard luminaries ever recorded (no not Jim Morrison --and you can be sure Mr Cherry busts the, err umph "Lizard King" for not singing the praises of his icky minions in his reams of bad poetry). This book is factual but most importantly FUUUN! Beautifully illustrated by the author, it's a refreshing refresher on something most of us know nothing about.Why doesn't someone give this Jim a nature show?

Funny and Fact Filled
This is a real find. Even if they have zero interest in reptiles, anyone who has curiousity and a sense of humor would enjoy this little book. The writing style is a combination of Dennis Miller's sarcasm, Bill Nye the Science Guy's mix of facts and fun, Monty Python's surrealism, and a pinch of David Sedaris's self-deprecation.A great airplane or lazy day read. I couldn't put it down. Made a great stocking stuffer gift for the readers on my list.Most amazing is this book's artful blend of solid information, interestingly presented and wacky fun.Great colorful graphics, too, including paintings by Hieronymous Bosch, Ed Mell, Maynard Dixon and others. Godzilla makes a couple appearances, as well.

Don't miss it.

Loco for Loco For Lizards
Okay, I'll confess up front:I'm in this book.But when author JimCherry first contacted me to interview me for his book, I really didn'thave a clear idea what the book was going to be about, other than the factthat it wasn't going to be about the care of captive lizards nor was it tobe a natural history book about wild lizards.

Well, Jim was wrong aboutthat: the book is wild. It's wildly fun and colorful, a cornucopia oflizardly facts and artifacts, with lizards in history, lizards in movies,lizards on the walls, even lizards on CDs. Jim has put together akaleidoscopic collection of information, art work and more in theexploration of the human relationship with lizards, both as living animalsand graphic representations in a wide range of media and cultures.

As aherp keeper and educator, I read a lot of books on reptiles.Loco ForLizards was a real treat for me, a welcome and often laugh-filled breakfrom the mundane.A must buy for those interested in lizards in whateverform, as well as a great gift for the herper on your list. ... Read more