Everglades

Children's Literature

Clear, inviting photographs that accompany a large typeface text and brief sentences create a welcoming format for newly independent readers. The first sentence, in the form of a question, brings the reader into the book as well. Within these thirty pages students will learn where the Everglades National Park is located. Some of the plants, birds, and animals that inhabit the area are named. Two people who have been instrumental in preserving the Everglades, Ernest F. Coe and Marjory Stoneman Douglas, are introduced. The problem of pollution is mentioned. A map shows the geographic location. The color photographs show the variety of vegetation as well as the animals of the area. At the end of the book there is a section called "Words You Know" in which the words are captions for small photographs. It is a good way for students with limited reading skills to recognize words. Part of the "Rookie read-about geography" series, this is a good overview for younger readers and is certainly appropriate for older students learning to read in English. 2005, Children's Press/Scholastic, Ages 6 to 8.
—Sharon Salluzzo

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-These small books help to fill the demand for nonfiction easy readers. Each spread has an average-quality, full-color photo opposite a few lines of large-type print. Basic information is conveyed using simple words and sentence structures. A list of "Words You Know" appears on the last spread; it is illustrated with pictures from the text. The content and writing style vary in quality from book to book. Leotti-Bachem introduces the plants and animals that live in the Everglades and where it is located, but never define what it is. Continents and Grand Canyon do a better job of imparting concepts.-Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.