Examining Forest Habitats

School Library Journal

Gr 2–4—Physical maps, Venn diagrams, bar graphs, cluster maps, and sequence charts are just five of the visual organizers students are introduced to in these titles. The 10 chapter spreads in each book feature a single page of text opposite an image or images incorporated into a specific type of organizer that delivers information on an environment as it presents the relevant facts. These books may appeal to visual learners, but poor labeling, confusing examples, occasional lapses, and vocabulary that is not well defined in context hamper the texts. Redwoods are described as the "tallest" trees, but how tall is never mentioned. Nowhere is the word "biome" used. Cathryn Sill and John Sill's "About Habitats" series (Peachtree) is a better choice for introducing habitats.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library