Synopsis
Commemorates, in words and pictures, the wild and civilized wonders of living in Alaska. A perfect introduction to the 49th state for young readers.
School Library Journal
(Gr 3-6) -- A combination of photographs, illustrations, and text mix and mingle on each page of this lovely volume to create a kaleidoscope of verbal and visual impressions about Alaska's landforms, wildlife, and people. Murphy describes the area's vastness and uniqueness, and presents geography, history, culture, and natural science as they relate to the changing seasons. Although the text is not written from a child's point of view as the title might imply, youngsters and their families are the focus of the book. The montage of appealing, full-color photographs includes shots of native and non-native people of all ages engaged in daily activities, animals in their natural habitats, and scenic views of the natural landscapes. Unfortunately, instead of appearing directly under or next to the relevant picture, the captions are often grouped together with triangles pointing to the photos they describe. There's so much packed into 48 pages that readers will want to re-read and look at the pictures over and over again, seeing and learning something new every time. This "coffee-table'' style book will complement more traditional nonfiction titles. --Roz Goodman, Bering Strait School District Media Center, Unalakleet, AK