The Salamander Room
By Anne Mazer.
Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher.
32 pages. Reading level, ages 4-8.
A young boy captures a
salamander and brings him to live in his room. The fun begins when
his mother asks how he will care for this little creature. The boy
comes up with delightful answers to each question, planning adjustments
to his room, until eventually we see only his room in the midst of a
complex forest ecosystem.
The Great Kapok Tree
By Lynne
Cherry. Paperback, 40 pages.
Reading level, ages 4-8.
A man comes to
chop down the great Kapok tree, but settles down to take a
nap before beginning his labors. A surprising variety
of creatures, all of whom depend on the great tree for food
or shelter, come to whisper in his ear as he sleeps.
The man, and the reader, learn a reverent lesson about the
webs of life that connect us all. Stunning
illustrations.
 New Animal Discoveries. Ronald Orenstein with Jane Goodall. Library
binding, 48 pages. Reading level, ages 9-12.
In this inspirational book, we are
reminded that new discoveries still await budding field biologists.
This fascinating book highlights new animal discoveries within the
last two decades and the scientists who brought them to the attention
of the scientific community. Photographs of rare and endangered
animals are included. Index, Foreword by Jane Goodall, Sidebars.
THERE'S STILL TIME:
THE SUCCESS OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT.
Mark Galan.
National Geographic. Hardcover, 40pages. Reading level,
ages 9-12.
This well-written book discusses and
illustrates the successes of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and
the work that remains. From the well-known bald eagle to the
lesser-known Louisiana pearlshell mussel, the author explores the
recovery of 19 plants and animals through informative text and
amazing photographs. Foreword. Index.
Once a Wolf: How
Wildlife Biologists Fought to Bring Back the Gray Wolf.
Stephen
R. Swinburne. Illustrated with photographs by Jim Brandenburg. 48pages.
Reading level, ages 9-12.
This book
is a thorough account of the life of the gray wolf, from its value to
the ecosystem to a description of its problematic relationships with
people as well as the conservation movement that is credited with
restoring the wolf population by returning wolves to their natural
habitat. Map, Bibliography, Web Sites, Index.
 Crawdad Creek.
Scott Russell Sanders. Illustrated by Robert Hynes. National
Geographic. Paperback, 32pages. Reading level, ages 4-8.
Exquisitely
detailed paintings capture the beauty of the wild, natural world
waiting to be discovered. The book encourages readers to go outside;
find moving water; and open their eyes, ears, and hearts to the
wilderness everywhere. A great book to encourage young readers to
observe all the details of the world around them. Author's Note.
 Welcome to the River of Grass.
Jane Yolen.
Illustrated by Laura Regan. 32 pages. Reading level, ages
4-8.
The magnificent
illustrations and rich language make this volume of interest across
the grades as the author depicts a day in the Everglades. The lush
river of grass—inches deep and miles wide—is home to a wide variety
of interesting residents, both flora and fauna. Predator/prey
relationships are depicted.
Pond.
Written and illustrated
by Gordon Morrison. Hardcover,
32pages. Reading level, ages 4-8.
Changes and activities that occur over days and weeks
throughout the seasons in, on, and around a pond are described.
Through the narrative and illustrations the reader observes
interactions of thriving plants and animals. Insets provide
additional details about these plants and animals, the seasons, and
how a pond is formed.
 Pond Watching with Ann
Morgan.
Michael Elsohn Ross. Illustrated by Wendy Smith.
Library binding, 48 pages. Reading level, ages 9-12.
Readers follow Ann Morgan as she uncovers the mysteries of newts,
mayflies, and other water creatures. This work describes the life and
work of Morgan, who studied, taught, and wrote about the animals of
ponds and streams, and stressed the importance of an ecological
approach to conservation. Important Dates, Glossary, Bibliography,
Index.
SQUISHY, MISTY, DAMP & MUDDY: THE IN-BETWEEN WORLD
OF WETLANDS.
Molly Cone.
Sierra Club. Paperback, 32 pages. Reading level, ages
4-8.
Stunning, well-placed photographs pull the reader into
this book. The story here is diversity--of wetlands and the abundant
life they support. It also speaks of their precarious future and the
importance of preservation. Cone's richly innovative text is enhanced
by touches of alliteration and an almost poetic cadence.
National Audubon
Society
First Field Guide: Trees.
By Brian Cassie. Scholastic Reference. 160 pages.
Reading level, ages 9-12.
Whether you are
looking at trees in your own yard, taking a walk in the woods, or
vacationing in a wilderness park, this field guide will help you look
at trees the way a naturalist does. The book provides information on
everything children might want to know about trees, such as unique
characteristics, life cycles, and varied habitats. More than 450
color photographs and illustrations capture the beauty of over 150
species in North America. Glossary, Resources, Index.
Life in a Grassland
(Ecosystems in
Action series). Dorothy Hinshaw Patent. Illustrated with photographs
by William Muñoz. Library binding, 72 pages.
Reading level, ages 9-12.
This book describes features of grasslands, including location,
variety of grasses, climate, soil characteristics, and animal life.
The impact of people on a prairie ecosystem is also discussed. The
readable text is enhanced by colorful photographs and text boxes.
This book on grasslands, a less familiar ecosystem to many people,
will be an excellent addition to a classroom collection.
Here Is the
African Savanna.
Madeleine Dunphy. Illustrated by Tom Leonard.
Hardcover, 32 pages. Reading level, ages 4-8.
A classic style of cumulative verse
builds the text as it weaves the story of the food web of the African
savanna. The strength and survival of the animals is illustrated by
luminous paintings featuring the interdependence of each strand of
the food web. Afterword.
The Spirit of the Maasai
Man.
Written and illustrated by Laura Berkley.
School and library binding,
32 pages. Reading level, ages 4-8.
A fascinating book
that captures the perspective of a people in tune with the animal
world. Effective words develop the message of the Maasai man as he
sings to the animals. This book will provoke deep thought and much
discussion as it raises questions about captive animals. Author's
Note.
 Galápagos
Islands: Nature’s Delicate Balance at Risk.
Linda Tagliaferro. Library
binding, 88pages. Reading level, ages 9-12.
The once unspoiled nature of the Galápagos
Islands has now become threatened. In a straightforward style, this
book focuses on a limited number of species to explain what is unique
about the islands and how the islands and their plant and animal
species are threatened. Beautiful color photographs follow and
enhance the text. Bibliography, Glossary, Index, Internet Resources.
 Interrupted Journey: Saving Endangered Sea
Turtles.
Kathryn Lasky. Photographs by
Christopher G. Knight. Hardcover, 48 pages. Reading
level, ages 9-12.
Clear, vivid photographs meld with
the text and tell of the miraculous journey of a stranded sea turtle
found by a 10 year-old boy and rescued through the cooperation of
scientists, veterinarians, and volunteers.
 The
Wildlife Detectives: How Forensic Scientists Fight Crimes Against
Nature.
Donna M.
Jackson. Illustrated with photographs by Wendy Shattil and Bob
Rozinski. Paperback, 48pages. Reading level, ages 9-12.
Readers can follow
a crime scene investigation of the illegal shooting of an elk in
Yellowstone National Park. A team of forensic scientists uses various
techniques including DNA profiling to solve the crime in an effort to
protect animals in the future. Information Sources, Wildlife Forensic
Terms, Index.
Antarctic Journal: Four Months at the Bottom of the World.
Jennifer Owings Dewey. 64 pages. Reading level, 9-12.
This
eye-opening portrayal of an icy-cold adventure to one of the most
forbidding, fascinating places on Earth carefully mixes amazing
narratives, science facts, and colorful photographs that are sure to
intrigue and inspire young explorers. A warm, thoughtful diary
sharing the fears and wonders of the “last great wilderness on
Earth.”
FLUSH!: Treating Wastewater.
Karen Mueller Coombs.
Illustrated with photographs by Jerry Boucher. Library binding,
56 pages. Reading level, 9-12.
Ever wonder what
happens to water you flush down the toilet? A step-by-step trip
through the process of cleaning wastewater gives a behind-the-scenes
look using excellent, full-color photographs. A unique book
concerning our most valuable natural resource — water. Glossary.
Index.
 I
Want to Be an Environmentalist
(I Want to Be...
series). Stephanie Maze. School and library binding, 48 pages.
Reading level, ages 9-12.
Many environmental careers are profiled within the context of
ecological issues. A colorful format focuses on topics from high-tech
data collection to famous environmentalists to ways children can get
involved in preservation of the environment. Government and
Environmental Organizations Listing.
AMERICAN ENVIRONMENTAL HEROES
(Collective Biographies series). Phyllis
M. Stanley. 128 pages. Reading level, ages 9-12.
This delightful,
inspirational book describes the lives and aspirations of 10
environmental heroes. From Thoreau to Leopold to Frances Moore Lappe,
we meet ordinary people who are actively concerned about this planet
and about the people and animals on it. Includes a guide to national
parks. Author's Note. Index. Chapter Notes. Further Reading List.
The Wump World
Bill
Peet. 49 pages. Reading level, ages 4-8. Never
ordinary, Bill Peet's imaginative work transports the reader to the
world of the Wump's. The sweet fuzzy wumps have just been
invaded by the Pollutians and their monstrous machines! As the
Wump's go into hiding, the Pollutians set about ravaging the planet.
Peet manages to bring chuckles to young readers with his page-turning
tale about loving your planet and preserving its beauty and
resources. 
Farewell To Shady Glade
Bill
Peet. 48 pages. Reading level ages 4-8. This
classic book is a great introduction to the problems of
habitat destruction. Eye catching illustrations by Bill Peet
and warm text connect the reader with the plight of the animal
characters who must leave their homes because of humankind's drive
for
"progress". As the bulldozers
sit poised to plow everything (and everyone) down, the little
creatures set out on their own comic journey to find a new wild
space, far from humans and their blind destruction. The courage
of the little creatures really speaks to young children, who know all
too well what it feels like to get mowed down by the goal-oriented
world of adults.
Our Big Home: An Earth Poem
Linda Glaser. Illustrated by Elisa Kleven.
32 pages. Reading level, ages 4-8.
Sun, rain, air, animals, people - all are a part of the
Earth, our big home. Portraits of children and animals are whimsically
detailed through delightful multicultural drawings from around the world.
The language is melodic and full of cheerful metaphors that make the
characters lively and memorable.
 Recycle!
: A Handbook for Kids
by
Gail Gibbons Gibbons's
cartoons in primary shapes and colors graphically illustrate the
contents of a landfill and how to recycle various products to cut
down on the need for landfills--for which space is already in short
supply. Discussing paper, plastic, glass, cans, and polystyrene, the
author describes how to recycle, why it's necessary, and its
benefits. The book ends with a mention of the ozone layer and
the limited potential for recycling polystyrene, followed by 14
facts about garbage. The plea is to make our planet a safer and
healthier place to live with a habit that is fun and
easy--recycling.
|
|
A
Tree Is Nice
Written by Janice May Udry. Illustrated by Marc
Simont. HarperCollins Publishers. Winner of the Caldecott Medal.
Young children
relate to its plain-spoken, from the heart message about the many
values of trees and the joy of planting and nurturing one yourself.
Simple but attractive illustrations of trees are sprinkled with
people and animals doing interesting things. |
|
