Faces in the Mountains

Children's Literature - Trina Heidt

What a beautiful and fascinating way to introduce children to mountain animals. Ron Hirschi has taken his extensive background knowledge of the subject and combined it with wildlife photographer, Thomas Manglesen's captivating photos of the various animals found in the majestic Rocky Mountains. They have created an engaging guide for beginning wildlife watchers. Tips on habitats, as well as habits of animals ranging from the great Grizzly Bear to the tiny Gray Jay are included throughout the book, as well as tips on when and where to look for certain wildlife. While the subject may seem too large to cover in one small book, this one goes above and beyond, literally, to fill its criteria covering a wide scope of interesting animals.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3Two introductions to the wildlife of North America. Forest includes creatures found across a broad area of the continent. The focus is mainly on birds, with attention given to the spotted owl and the importance of its native habitat for its survival. Raccoons, chipmunks, and bears represent the mammal family. Mountains centers on regions of the western part of this country and its varied animal life, from large mammals such as grizzly bears and moose to small birds. The brevity of the texts limits information to two or three sentences about each species, each of which is depicted in a full-color, labeled photograph. Appended sections offer almost as much additional information about other species of the region as the main body of the texts. Tips for locating animals, with reminders always to be accompanied by a responsible adult in wilderness areas, conclude the presentations. The lack of indexes limits the use of these books, making them most attractive for browsers. These titles complement Jim Arnosky's "Crinkleroot" guides (S & S) for collections that attract a large audience of nature enthusiasts.Diane Nunn, Richard E. Byrd Elementary School, Glen Rock, NJ