Talk, Talk, Squawk!: How and Why Animals Communicate (Animal Science)

I use Nicola Davies' Animal Science series a lot in book clubs and as recommendations for school projects. They're good choices being small and not daunting to reluctant readers, with funny cartoons and small chunks of text.

This older title, from 2011, is still relevant and will intrigue readers who are interested in animal communication.

Davies compares animal communication to human communication; in "uniforms" and markings, sounds, smells and more. Each type of communication is illustrated with humorous cartoons and simple text. Readers will learn how bright colors signal poison, how fish stay in schools be reading each other's colors, and how birds sing to defend territories, attract mates, and maintain communications. There's also information about sea horses, dolphins, deer, and many, many more.

An index and glossary make up the back matter. While this isn't as complete and scientific an introduction to the subject as, for example, Castaldo's Beastly Brains, it's a great intro for beginners and casual readers. Kids who are studying nonfiction author styles will enjoy learning interesting tidbits and facts and those who like animal trivia will revel in this funny collection of animal facts.

Verdict: A great beginning for learning about animal communication, helping kids narrow down a research topic, or just enjoy a funny, informative book. Worth purchasing even though it's a few years old as the information is still fresh and relevant.

ISBN: 9780763650889; Published 2011 by Candlewick; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

There is a really surprising amount of information in this book that looks like such a light read when you just grab it in passing off the nonfiction display, and I think it would be great for kids who are interested in animals. You learn about all the different ways animals communicate—through coloring, like different kinds of butterfly fish and monkeys; through smells, like beavers and pandas (who will do handstands so they can get their bums higher up on the tree, letting other pandas know just how big and intimidating they are); through sound, like wolves and howler monkeys and birds; through dances, like seahorses and the superb lyrebird, who apparently does a dance so elaborate that he builds himself a stage first; through electric buzzes, like the elephant-nose fish that live in West African rivers so muddy that they can't see each other; and so on.

I learned that African elephants make rumbling sounds that are so low humans can't hear them, but elephants can feel the vibrations over several miles. So when one part of the herd is in trouble, the rest of them show up almost from nowhere, and I thought that was really cool.

And I learned that deer roar. This was such a curious fact that Mike had to go look it up, and we found a YouTube video to listen to. You could do a lot with this book, if you have kids who are interested in animals and nature. Lots of things to learn, and illustrated in a fun way that will keep kids entertained. ( )

What an odd little book. It's very interesting to see how different animals communicate for sure. I LOVE the pictures! I always thought that it was odd that the male birds, especially peacocks, had the beautiful feathers. You would think that the females would have them. ( )

Z is completely into both animal communication within and between species, so this was right up his alley. Cute illustrations with a good scientific overview. Plus, it got him all riled up to do a Chimposium at Eastern WA University, a trip to Wolf Haven, and to register with SETI. ( )

page of text, opposite illustration - longer, but not too overwhelming ( )