Synopsis
Describes the physical features of a coral reef, its community of plants and animals, and environmental threats.
Children's Literature
This entry in the "First Reports" series describes the physical features of a coral reef, its interrelated community of plants and animals, and threats to its environment. Information briefly states where coral reefs are found (unfortunately there is no map) and how animals construct them. Pictures show coral polyps forming, eating zooplankton or forming food from algae living inside themselves. Bold type, specialized vocabulary is defined in context and repeated in a glossary, which helps readers locate information quickly. Informative photographs vary from close-ups of marine life (all accurately captioned) to overviews of atolls and reefs and several pictures of divers. A short section about crown-of-thorns starfish that can destroy a section of coral reef the size of a dollar bill daily is followed by one about human endangerment of the reefs, echoing earlier discussions of how reefs function. This useful and clearly written text provides a good introduction to the subject for young readers and is supported with a short "Did You Know?" section, "Facts at a Glance," book and web site references, an index and "Places to Write to for More Information." 2001, Compass Point Books, $21.26. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Susan Hepler