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Parents' Guide to

The Secrets of Animal Flight

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Spectacular photos fascinate kids.

Book Nic Bishop Animals 1997
The Secrets of Animal Flight Poster Image

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What's the Story?

Information about flying animals and the mechanics of flight is accompanied by stunning, state-of-the-art high-speed photography that lets readers see every detail of birds, bats, and insects while the animals are in flight.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

The author includes lots of fascinating information about flying, but what makes this book a standout is the extraordinary photography. According to the jacket copy, Nic Bishop has developed a high-speed technique for photographing insects on the wing, which has put him in the forefront of insect photography internationally.

The results are incredible close-ups of stunning, jewel-like clarity, in which even the veins of a flying dragonfly's wings are perfectly clear. This technique allows the author to show all the stages of a bird's upstroke and down stroke, with every feather standing out as vividly as a Japanese paper fan. This lovely, fascinating book encourages and rewards close inspection by revealing what the naked eye can never see.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how animals fly. How are the mechanics similar among different animals? How are they different?

Book Details

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