Floods

Children's Literature

Information about "Natural Disasters" will attract young and reluctant readers to this series. In this title, the introduction recaps the flooding caused by Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Subsequent chapters, all liberally illustrated with full color photographs, discuss river floods, dams failing, flash floods, and coastal floods. Readers will learn that the real danger in floods is the diseases carried by the contaminated water. In addition to facts about floods and flood control, there is a section about flood warnings and actions people should take to protect themselves. A two-page, full-color world map shows the locations of areas around the world that were subject to serious flooding in 1999. There is a glossary and short reading list, pointers to web sites and an index. 2000, Children's Press, $19.00. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot