Ecology

Cefrey, Holly. Deciduous forests / Holly Cefrey. New York : Power Kids Press, 2003. [Reading Power] ISBN: 082396454X (lib. bdg.) Grade: A

Introduces readers to deciduous forests and the five layers (canopy, understory, shrub, herb, and floor) that make up this biome. The book layout and photos throughout are very good, but I was disappointed that the only photo that showed humans, was of a white family. The book contains a glossary and short bibliography. Instead of listing a bunch of web sites that could be obsolete even before the book is published, the book gives one link to a resource that the publisher will keep updated. KWR, UIUC MS, UIUC Certificate of Professional Development in Crop Science. (12-03)

Dalgleish, Sharon. Managing the land / by Sharon Dalgleish. [ Our world, our future (Philadelphia, Pa.) Series] Philadelphia : Chelsea House Publishers, c2003. 0791070204 (8+) Grade: B

Summary: "Describes the geological makeup of Earth and the ecosystems it supports; discusses issues that affect the land, including population growth, mining, landfills, pollution, erosion; and explains how people can help manage and preserve land. "

Content: Our world -- Our future -- To the center of the earth -- Living off the land -- Wanted! more soil for food -- Creeping concrete jungles -- Diggin it up -- Mountains made of rubbish -- Poisoning the land -- Global warming and the land -- Getting away from it all -- Sacred land -- Project land -- Think globally -- Sustaining our world.

Slightly preachy message about saving the planet. Give some good advise about reducing consumption, improving public transportation, and composting. In some places mentions a problem, but does not give details or speaks in over generalizations. For example, the books mentions how farming harms the soil, but does not go into details. Do all farmers harm the soil? How do farmers harm the soil? Even with these faults, I like the book fairly well. It is colorful and should get kids to think about the environment. The books has an interesting and busy layout. There are three activities (such as make a compost pile), a glossary, and an index. KWR (02-04)

Spotlight long review:

Gibbons, Gail. Recycle! : a handbook for kids / by Gail Gibbons. Boston : Little, Brown, c1992. ISBN: 0316309710. Ages 5-8. Grade B-/C+

"Few people today would say that recycling is wrong or a waste of time and energy. Most of us are aware, at least on some level, of the detrimental effects of both garbage and production on our environment. Yet we often throw our soda cans, plastic plates, and newspapers in the trash, not thinking about the harm we inflict on our surroundings and ourselves. Gail Gibbons, in Recycle!, attempts to inform kids about the value of recycling, giving clear instructions on how to gather and bundle materials, as well as statistical and scientific information about how and why recycling is useful....There are certainly some things that I wish had been done differently, but this was the best book about the subject that I found. I looked at four other books, written on the same topic and for the same audience, and this one was the best in terms of its format, readability, and appeal." Please read the entire review! by Carolyn LaMontagne, a UIUC MLIS student. © 2003. Carolyn LaMontagne. All rights reserved. (11-03)

Nelson, Robin, We use water / by Robin Nelson. Minneapolis : Lerner Publications, c2003. 0822545942 Ages 4-8. Grade: A-

Very basic look at how people utilize water for such things as agriculture, fishing, transportation, hydroelectricity, and washing. Each page contains one large, colorful photograph and one simple, easy to read sentence. At the end, one page explains the total difference between total water and drinking water. There is a nice chart, too.

There are a few water facts that might be useful in teaching water conservation. There is a photo glossary and index. KWR 12-04

Nichols, Catherine. In the rain forest / by Catherine Nichols. New York : Benchmark Books, c2003. 0761414320 Ages 4-6. [We Can Read About Nature! Series] Grade: A

Each page has one clear and bright photo and one to two sentences. The photo of the huge, purple Fungus Beetle is unforgettable. Even though the book is intended for new readers, it presents interesting information about the animals, insects, and plants in rain forests. In the Rain Forest also mentions the importance of rain forests. Includes "Fun with Phonics", "Fun Facts", and a short Glossary/Index. KWR, UIUC MLIS, UIUC Certificate of Professional Development in Crop Science. (02-04)

Oliver, Clare. Life in a flowerbed / Clare Oliver. Austin, TX : Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 2002. [Microhabitats Series] 073984329X (Ages 6-10) Grade: A

Starts with a description of the habit of typical flower gardens. General introduction to flowers including such topics as sun needs, life cycles, size, etc. Shows how seeds grow and discuses pollination. Briefly mentions soil. Touches on quite a number of animal, insect, and various life forms that inhabit gardens. Illustrations are clearly labeled and include a good mix of photos and drawings. Book design is colorful and page layout varies nicely. Includes a glossary, reading list, and extensive index. Karen Woodworth-Roman 7-23-04

Pasco, Elaine. The ecosystem of a garden / Elaine Pasco ; photography by Dwight kuhn. New York : Power Kids Press, 2003. 0823963063 (lib. bdg.) (Ages 8-12) [The Library of Small Ecosystems Series] Grade: B+

Focuses on the important plants, insects, and animals that make up a typical home garden ecosystem. Excellent photographs show close up views of such wild life as a potato beetle, a praying mantis, a vole, and a toad. Spotlights a select number of examples rather that trying to be comprehensive. Includes a glossary, index, and publisher updated web page related to The Ecosystem of a Garden. KWR, UIUC MLIS, UIUC Certificate of Professional Development in Crop Science. (01-04)

"It is probably more suited for school than home use due to the large amount of information contained ("over 100 animals and plants are presented in this detailed panorama with animation and natural sounds"). However, the software is engaging for 3rd to 5th graders; they can click on individual animals and plants to learn facts or look in an explorers notebook. There are also a number of "games" (food chain questions, prairie restoration simulation, interactive venn diagram creation) which seem entertaining, thought-provoking and instructive." Reviewed by a UIUC GSLIS student working in an elementary school. (11-03)

Wallace, Nancy Elizabeth. Recycle every day! / written and illustrated by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace. New York : Marshall Cavendish, c2003. 0761451498 (Ages 4-6) Grade: A

Recycle Everyday! tells a story about a recycling poster contest while suggesting numerous ways for people to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Very child-friendly message. Illustrated using recycled materials. Includes a game and activity. KWR, UIUC MLIS. (01-04)

Woodward, John. Temperate forests / John Woodward. Austin, TX : Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 2002. [Biomes Atlases Series] ISBN: 0739852485 (Ages 10+) (01-04) Grade: A-/A

Starts with an introduction to the "Biomes of the World" then focuses on temperate forests around the world. Explains why temperate forests only grow in certain regions. Very informative and well researched. I only had two small complaints. Every so often the author used a rather slangy phrase which seemed out of place. Second, I did not like the way some of the maps were arranged. Those maps have red numbers marking the large areas of forests in a country and then the reader has to look at a separate list to read about the forests. I found them the hardest part of the book to read and enjoy. KWR, UIUC MLIS, UIUC Certificate of Professional Development in Crop Science. (01-04)

©2003-2006. Children's Science Book Review, Karen Woodworth-Roman. All rights reserved. Copyright belongs to the individual reviewers. Last modified on 16 January 2006. Contact: E-mail Karen with comments, corrections, and reviews. About