Discovering the Natural World
Staff -- School Library Journal, 5/1/1997
In this array of stunning books, children are introduced to the wonders of nature, ranging from creatures of the ocean depths to a wolf pack on a deserted Arctic island. Some presentations also feature humans who interact with and protect these animals, such as a woman who rescues wildlife in New Mexico and scientists who study whales in the North Atlantic. Reptiles, mammals, and prehistoric beasts all contribute to this selection of titles for display, for booktalks, or for sheer pleasure reading. The date of the original review follows each annotation.
ARNOSKY, Jim. All About Alligators. illus. by author. Scholastic. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-590-46788-3.
Gr 1-3 -- From snout to tail, these wetland dwellers spring to life through finely detailed watercolors and a snappy text. (Sept., 1994)
BASH, Barbara. Ancient Ones: The World of the Old-Growth Douglas Fir. illus. by author. Sierra Club Bks. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-87156-561-7.
Gr 2-6 -- An exploration of the unique ecosystem of the forests of the Pacific Northwest from its long-living trees to the myriad creatures that depend on these Douglas firs to survive. The watercolor paintings brim with the life of this amazing network. (Oct., 1994)
BASH, Barbara. Shadows of Night: The Hidden World of the Little Brown Bat. illus. by author. Sierra Club Bks. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-87156-562-5; pap. $6.95. ISBN 0-87156-440-8.
Gr 1-3 -- The author's fascination with and unabashed affection for these nocturnal insect catchers comes through in her informative text and outstanding watercolors, debunking misconceptions and building a case for the protection of this threatened species. (June, 1993)
BONNERS, Susan. Hunter in the Snow: The Lynx. illus. by author. Little. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-316-10201-6.
Gr 2-4 -- This precisely paced narrative follows a female Canada lynx for a year as she survives the winter, mates, gives birth, and raises three kittens to become agile, competent hunters. Outstanding, soft-focused pastel artwork portrays anatomical detail as well as sweeping panoramas of the forest. (Oct., 1994)
BRANDENBURG, Jim. To the Top of the World: Adventures with Arctic Wolves. photos. by author. 44p. CIP. Walker. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-8027-8219-1; PLB $17.85. ISBN 0-8027-8220-5; pap. $6.95. ISBN 0-8027-7462-8.
Gr 3-6 -- A wildlife photographer shares his experiences during a summer with an Arctic wolf pack on a deserted island. Captivating pictures combine with an informal narrative to create a topnotch, firsthand view of a much-maligned animal. (Dec., 1993)
CERULLO, Mary M. Sharks: Challengers of the Deep. photos. by Jeffrey L. Rotman. Cobblehill. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-525-65100-4.
Gr 4-7 -- Eye-catching photographs and clear prose demystify these much-feared creatures. Sure bait to induce a greater respect for and understanding of these amazing fish. (Feb., 1993)
DEWEY, Jennifer Owings. Wildlife Rescue: The Work of Dr. Kathleen Ramsay. photos. by Don MacCarter. Caroline House: Boyds Mills Pr. RTE $16.95. ISBN 1-56397-045-7.
Gr 4-6 -- A lively photo essay that shows the determined efforts of veterinarian Ramsay caring for injured animals to return them to the wild, featuring the day-to-day operation of her New Mexico Wildlife Center. (Sept., 1994)
FACKLAM, Margery. The Biggest Bug Book. illus. by Paul Facklam. Little. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-316-27389-9.
Gr 1-6 -- An up-close look at the world's largest insects, set against everyday objects such as a fish bowl or crayons to give a sense of scale. An unusual approach to entomology, with magnificently rendered, life-sized specimens. (June, 1994)
FACKLAM, Margery. What Does the Crow Know?: The Mysteries of Animal Intelligence. illus. by Pamela Johnson. Sierra Club Bks. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-87156-544-7.
Gr 3-6 -- From talking birds to chimps that understand fractions, these fascinating accounts of animal behaviors and intelligence are testaments to their aptitudes and adaptability. Illustrated with soft pencil sketches, this book inspires new appreciation for all creatures. (April, 1994)
GOOR, Ron & Nancy. Insect Metamorphosis: From Egg to Adult. photos. by Ron Goor. Atheneum. PLB $14.95. ISBN 0-689-31445-0.
Gr 2-4 -- The stunning clarity of the full-color photographs and the numerous examples of polychromatic insects that undergo complete, as well as those that experience incomplete, metamorphosis are succinctly delineated and detailed. An up-close look at the insect world that mesmerizes. (June 1990)
GOWELL, Elizabeth Tayntor. Sea Jellies: Rainbows in the Sea. Watts. PLB $24.10. ISBN 0-531-11152-0.
Gr 4-7 -- An introduction to these diaphanous, rainbow-hued animals that contains a wealth of information and brilliant photographs. (Aug., 1993)
GUIBERSON, Brenda Z. Into the Sea. illus. by Alix Berenzy. Holt. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-8050-2263-5.
Gr 1-3 -- Brilliant underwater seascapes, a telling text, and a dramatic sense of danger describe the real-life trials of a female sea turtle. (Sept., 1996)
GUIBERSON, Brenda Z. Spoonbill Swamp. illus. by Megan Lloyd. Holt. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-8050-1583-3; pap. $4.95. ISBN 0-8050-3385-8.
K-Gr 2 -- An average day in the life of a spoonbill and alligator family is filled with suspense and drama. Sweeping landscapes in vibrant color illustrate this effective blend of fact and story. (March, 1992)
JOHNSTON, Ginny & Judy Cutchins. Slippery Babies: Young Frogs, Toads, and Salamanders. Morrow. Tr $15.00. ISBN 0-688-09605-0; PLB $14.93. ISBN 0-688-09606-9.
Gr 4-6 -- Spectacular photographs delineate the unique features of these shimmery, if somewhat slimy, infant creatures, and the text establishes their importance in the food chain. (Oct., 1991)
KRAUS, Scott & Kenneth Mallory. The Search for the Right Whale: How Scientists Rediscovered the Most Endangered Whale in the Sea. Crown. Tr $14. ISBN 0-517-57844-1; PLB $14.99. ISBN 0-517-57845-X.
Gr 4-6 -- Readers accompany a team of scientists from the New England Aquarium as they follow right whales in the North Atlantic. Fascinating facts, arm-chair adventure, and up-close-and-personal photographs on a topic with enormous appeal. (Aug., 1993)
LAUBER, Patricia. Living with Dinosaurs. illus. by Douglas Henderson. Bradbury. PLB $16.95. ISBN 0-02-75421-0.
Gr 3-6 -- A sensory tour that examines the awe-inspiring inhabitants of sea, swamp, forest, and highlands. Gouache and pastel paintings plus attention to detail make this ancient realm so accessible that readers will feel as though they're breathing prehistoric air. (May, 1991)
LAVIES, Bianca. Compost Critters. photos. by author. Dutton. RTE $14.99. ISBN 0-525-44763-6.
Gr 3-6 -- A look at the creepy crawlies that devour garbage and form the nutritious material on which plant life depends. Magnificent photographs combine with a lucid text to amaze and inform. (July, 1993)
LEWIN, Betsy. Booby Hatch. illus. by author. Clarion. RTE $14.95. ISBN 0-395-68703-9.
PreS-Gr 2 -- The life cycle of an endearing blue-footed booby from hatchling through adulthood is related through lighthearted poetic prose and sun-drenched watercolors. (May, 1995)
LONDON, Jonathan. Red Wolf Country. illus. by Daniel San Souci. Dutton. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-525-45191-9.
K-Gr 4 -- Two red wolves endure winter's hardships, elude enemies, and look for a good place to den. Lyrical prose and naturalistic watercolors make this a memorable survival story. (Mar., 1996)
McMILLAN, Bruce. Nights of the Pufflings. photos. by author. Houghton. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-395-70810-9.
Gr 1-4 -- Excitement mounts each year as millions of puffins come ashore to nest on an Icelandic island. Crystal-clear photos document the cycle and the unique role that the village children have come to play in launching the fledgling flyers. (Mar., 1995)
PATENT, Dorothy Hinshaw. Feathers. photos by William Munoz. Cobblehill; Dutton. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-525-65081-4.
Gr 4-6 -- A fascinating introduction to the formation and function of our feathered friends' versatile and often colorful plumage. Top-notch science, illustrated with striking, larger-than-life photos. (July, 1992)
SATTLER, Helen Roney. Giraffes, the Sentinels of the Savannahs. illus. by Christopher Santoro. Lothrop. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-688-08284-X; PLB $14.88. ISBN 0-688-08285-8; o.p.
Gr 4-7 -- An all-encompassing portrait of these gentle giants from their evolutionary past to their precarious future. Rich in detail and lively in its presentation, the text is greatly enhanced by Santoro's precisely detailed renderings that grace every page. A handsome, elegantly designed resource. (May, 1990)
SAYRE, April Pulley. If You Should Hear a Honey Guide. illus. by S. D. Schindler. Houghton. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-395-71545-8.
K-Gr 3 -- Follow an extraordinary bird through the East African countryside to a hidden cache of honey. Realistic paintings glow with dry, golden hues in this magical blend of story and nonfiction. (Oct., 1995)
YOLEN, Jane. Welcome to the Sea of Sand. illus. by Laura Regan. Putnam. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-399-22765-2.
K-Gr 4 -- The wildlife, weather, and natural wonders of the Sonora Desert showcased through poetic narrative and glorious paintings. Waves of sand and splashes of color disclose a sea of surprises. (May, 1996)
YOSHIDA, Toshi. Young Lions. illus. by author. Philomel. RTE $13.95. ISBN 0-399-21546-8.
Gr 1-4 -- Infused with light, Yoshida's golden, cinematic sweeps of the African plain illuminate the tense story of three lion cubs who venture out on their very first hunt. A dramatic, subtly told lesson of interdependence in the natural world, and a powerful introduction to animal life in another part of the world. (Apr., 1989)
ZOLOTOW, Charlotte. When the Wind Stops. illus. by Stefano Vitale. HarperCollins. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-06-025425-4; PLB $14.89. ISBN 0-06-025426-2.
PreS-Gr 4 -- A mother and child reflect on beginnings, endings, and the continuity of nature in this timeless story, newly illustrated with exquisite paintings on wood. (Aug., 1995)
