A Desert Year

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-- This attractive introduction to plant and animal life in the deserts of the southwestern United States is arranged by seasons, winter to fall. For every season, there is a page of text opposite a colorful desert scene for each of five topics: mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, arthropods (spiders, insects, scorpions), and plants. Three or four different examples of plants and animals are given in each period, making for broader coverage, although allowing only a brief paragraph for any one creature. Text is bordered by a brown line, and the slightly stylized paintings, which are full-page for the most part, run to page edge, and include cut-aways showing burrows or close-ups of the creatures or floral detail. While there are descriptive clues in the text to help identify the examples shown in these scenes, there are no number locations to lessen confusion created by unfamiliar or look-alike groups. Text indicates pronunciation; the index includes scientific names. A useful survey that can also serve as a discussion starter on the other intriguing topics it mentions. --Ruth M. McConnell, San Antonio Public Library