K-Gr 4-A life cycle is similar to a circle with the stages of birth, growth, adulthood and procreation. Even after death the process continues on a more inclusive cycle involving all living things. Young children will be fascinated by the animals and the facts presented here. From the lamb to the sheep, the chick to the hen, viewers will delight in seeing life and its developmental stages. On a more visual approach, children will experience the development of a butterfly from a caterpillar and a frog from a tadpole; they will watch the joey find its way into the kangaroo pouch. There is an additional opportunity to view life cycles on a first hand basis during a visit to the zoo, fish hatchery, and wildlife refuge to see biologists performing their everyday scientific tasks. In contrast to the average 75 year life span of humans, the honeybee lives only six months and a tortoise for 130 years. The presentation is energetic, colorfully appealing, and informative. Information is categorized and clearly stated. A teacher's guide with suggested activities, book references, and internet resources make the video a complete research source. This video, from a series of 12, will be a valuable addition to elementary libraries which delve into the science of living things.
Copyright 2000 School Library Journal. Used with permission.
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...Fast-paced and fact-filled, this kid-narrated video offers an age-appropriate introduction to potentially sensitive concepts…featur[es] excellent nature footage and relevant onscreen vocabulary…Highly recommended." - Video Librarian (July/Aug 2006)