In the Rainforest

July 1, 2014

Gr 1-3-Rainforests have more animal species than anywhere in the world; such facts are just the tip of the iceberg in this intriguing, early reader glimpse into one of the world's most unique ecosystems. In Magic School Bus fashion, the narrative takes readers along with a group of young students and their guide as they journey through a tropical rainforest. Key terms about the ecosystem and the animals that live within it are discussed. Small side captions are used to further points, in most cases visually comparing rainforest trees and species to those of temperate climates. Difficult words appear in bold type and are defined within the text; there is no glossary. Overall, readers will be delighted with Duke's attention to species, specifically ants, which play an essential role in the functioning of the rainforest ecosystem. Duke concisely discusses not only species and their habitats but also the sustainability of the rainforest and finishes by touching on the manmade dangers that are putting rainforests at risk. A list of botanical gardens, museums, and zoos in the United States with rainforest exhibits that are open to the public is included. There is also a how-to guide about making a rainforest terrarium. A welcome addition, particularly for those early grade assignments on biomes.-Keith Klang, Port Washington Public Library, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2014
This new entry in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series is a Stage 2 title exploring the busy and diverse world of the rain forest. In a format reminiscent of the Magic Schoolbus books, an adult leader accompanies an African-American boy and a Caucasian girl on a trip into the rain forest, with sidebars, fact boxes, picture captions, diagrams and speech balloons rounding out the information presented in the text. Readers learn how this habitat differs from forests in temperate climates and visit the three levels (and their various plants and animals)-understory, canopy and emergent layer-along with the three characters; don't forget your climbing harness! Bolded words are defined within the text, and readers are barraged with fascinating facts: Ants make up more than half the insect species found in the rain forest (which explains why they get so many spreads). A labelled diagram shows the interconnectedness of the rain forest's parts, and two final spreads focus on threats to the world's rain forests as well as the benefits gained by protecting them. Backmatter invites readers to make a terrarium and lists various places in the U.S. where they can visit rain-forest exhibits. Dominated by greens and browns, Duke's friendly cartoons effectively communicate the immense variety of plant and animal life found in rain forests and feature cutaway views and close-ups in several spreads. A fascinating and solid introduction. (Informational picture book. 4-8)

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Starred review from September 15, 2014
Grades K-3 *Starred Review* In this appealing picture book, two children tour a rain forest, while their friendly guide fills them in on matters such as leaf-cutter mounds, epiphytes, rainfall, and forest layers. After climbing into the canopy, they find more plants and animals than on the forest floor. Using walkways and observation platforms, they travel from tree to tree, stopping to notice and talk about what they see. Back on the ground, they look at the forest as a whole and briefly consider the causes and effects of deforestation. Like the original Magic School Bus books, this upbeat volume offers information through clearly written paragraphs of text, characters' comments in speech balloons, and illustrated fact boxes. Duke, who died earlier this year, created an inviting book that conveys concepts simply and effectively. The child-friendly illustrationspen-and-ink drawings with watercolors, liquid acrylics, pencils, and pastelsmake this an inviting title from cover to cover. Particularly interesting are the cutaway drawings and picture diagrams, which show, for example, the comparative numbers of rain-forest animals. This informative volume from the dependable Let's-Read-and-Find-Out science series offers an uncommonly readable introduction to rain forests. Instructions for making a terrarium are appended.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

September 1, 2014
Welcome to a tropical rainforest. This latest series entry takes readers on a tour through the ecosystem, as two youngsters pack for, travel to, and walk through this unique habitat. The well-informed narrative voice describes the physical divisions of the rainforest, such as the canopy and the understory, while the children's tour guide (in conversational speech balloons) points out special features of the area, such as the living components of the leaf litter. Unfamiliar vocabulary, from canopy to epiphyte, is presented in bold-face type, defined, and repeated in the text, though there is no glossary or pronunciation guide. Brief sightings of a vast number of plants and animals introduce the abundant diversity of the rainforest. Cheerful mixed-media illustrations show the children having a grand time not only climbing trees (with ropes and clamps) but also journaling and learning about this previously unfamiliar part of their world. As the youngsters and their guide leave the area, they come upon a vast wasteland where trees and wildlife have been destroyed. But the expected you-must-save-the-rainforest didacticism is replaced by a matter-of-fact discussion of the repercussions of such destruction; and rather than end on a negative note, the guide and the children return to the rainforest, because, the guide says, there's "lots more to show you." A list of rainforest exhibits to visit both virtually and in person is appended, as are directions for making a rainforest terrarium. betty carter

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2015
This series entry takes readers on a tour through the rainforest, describing the special features of the area. Unfamiliar vocabulary is presented in bold-face type, defined, and repeated in the text. Cheerful mixed-media illustrations show the visiting children climbing trees (with ropes and clamps), journaling, and exploring the ecosystem. A list of rainforest exhibits is appended, as are directions for making a rainforest terrarium.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)