BOOK SHELF 83 



*'Otter with the finest coat of long, smooth, soft fur," "Grizzly Bear," "Old 

 Crow," Coyote and many others. The chapters are short and each makes a 

 nice little stor\- in itself. There is great variation in the action of the stories 

 and the exciting parts are written in a pleasing manner. Many ver\- clever 

 lessons are brought out as an explanation of nature's ways. Thus Fox is red 

 to this very day because he was so ashamed when all the others laughed at him 

 after he had tricked Eagle out of some eggs and Eagle had carried him away out 

 to sea and left him on an island. Then, too. Otter lives in the water always 

 because once upon a time, Rabbit, in order to steal Otter's coat for himself, 

 threw hot coals in the air and shouted, "It's raining fire," then scampered off 

 with the coat while poor Otter ran to the water to put out the hot coals. And 

 so this book is full of just such interesting and fascinating tales which are 

 always one of the child's greatest pleasures. The striking pictures by Charles 

 Livingston Bull arc a real feature of this book. Children who can read will 

 find this a pleasing book and stu-ely it is just the kind that mothers find espec- 

 ially helpful in guiding the young child's mind and answering the many ques- 

 tions. It is bound to keep a child interested at any time. 



Knou-ing Insects Through Stories. Floyd Vralliar. Funk and \V agnails Co. 

 Si. 60. 

 This is a book full of interest to anyone who cares about nature or the multi- 

 tude of small creatures living about us. The author possesses a great sjTnpa- 

 thetic imagination which combined with the reason of a scientific man gives us 

 the facts and laws of nature in terms both of reason and of imagination. The 

 book is full of facts for the author constantly preser\-es an essential scientific 

 acctu-acy. He has written the material in such a way as to enable readers to 

 lay a scientific foundation for future study. It is bound to lead one to search 

 out new little acquaintances which are willing to become most intimate friends. 

 There are excellent stories of Butterflies and Moths, Beetles and Weevils, 

 Grasshoppers, Crickets and Silver Fish, Bees, Wasps and Ants, Bugs and Flies 

 and also "Madam Doodleburg" and other "Divers Little People." There are 

 good illustrations, many of which are colored and as a further aid, in learning 

 these little known friends of ours, the author gives keys at the end of each part 

 which are quite simple and understandable. This book proves that there is 

 much of interest in the common things about us. It is bound to awaken the 

 interest of its readers, both young and old, and is certainly a most helpful book 

 to build a foundation for nature-study and systematic knowledge along these 

 lines. Surely it will appeal to anyone with a mind the least bit in harmony with 

 such things. 



