Environmental Science & Ecosystems, Nature & the Natural World - General & Miscellaneous, Forests & Trees, Animal Habitats

Forest Explorer: A Life-Sized Field Guide

Name: Forest Explorer: A Life-Sized Field Guide
Author: Nic Bishop
ISBN: 9780439174800

by Nic Bishop, Nic Bishop (Illustrator)

Write a review

Overview

A dramatic, life-size photographic field guide to the wonders of the forest and the miniature wildlife that thrives there.

Explore the exciting world of the forest, where more than 125 different bugs, worms, and small critters play out the drama of life in miniature. Seven different life-size forest habitats, exploring the leaf-litter to the tree-top canopy through all four seasons, are vividly depicted in enticingly lush photographic scenes. Each scene is followed by "field notes" which identify all animals, relate intriguing facts about survival in each habitat, and share the excitement of discovery. Includes forest exploration hints, essential safety information, and a "picture index" for easy reference.

Depicts in detail several different deciduous forest habitats, with field notes about the insects and animals shown, as well as tips on how to explore a real forest.

Synopsis

Publishers Weekly

Forest Explorer: A Life-Size Field Guide by Nic Bishop uses actual-size photographs of forest-dwelling insects, mammals, reptiles and more to teach aspiring scientists about this accessible habitat. The forest's realm unfolds through the year and the book includes the eating habits and life cycles of its many animals (neatly catalogued in a photographic index). Bishop also includes projects for nature lovers, which animals to look for in different seasons and precautions to take when exploring. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet. Log in to write one.

Editorials

Publishers Weekly

Children's Literature

Can you tell the difference between a saddleback caterpillar and a gypsy moth caterpillar? This is the perfect book for any science student who is interested in nature and forest animals. Over 130 animals have been photographed, and the images appear in the book life sized, so that children will be able to recognize the animals in their own back yard. Each large picture in the book contains about 60 photographs that have been combined to create an illustration of animal life in the forest. Except for seeing so many animals in one place at one time, the pictures are very realistic and quite intriguing. The animals are shown in various seasons and different parts of the forest (canopy, under story, and forest floor). The page immediately following the picture of the animals is followed by field notes that teach the young student the names of each of the animals, and tell a couple of interesting facts about each one. The back of the book contains a picture index with all of the animals that were photographed in the book. This is a must have guide for children who are interested in insects and small animals. 2004, Scholastic Press, Ages 5 to 10.
—Nicole Peterson

School Library Journal

K-Gr 4-With this beautiful and engrossing photographic guide, Bishop creates another exciting study of natural history that will make children sit up, take notice, and wonder. Focusing on deciduous forests, the book consists of brief chapters that showcase life in the understory, the treetops, and at the edge of the woods. Other sections cover "Waking in Spring," nocturnal creatures, "The Fall," and "Winter Survivors." Each chapter opens with a stunning photographic spread that is crammed with pictures of animals, plants, and insects-all life-sized except when they are highlighted by a magnifying glass. Each scene is followed by a two-page description of the denizens of that location. Only a snippet of information about each animal is provided. A list of hints for forest exploration, a segment that points out things to observe in a tri-monthly rotation, and a wonderful picture index are appended. Though not useful for fieldwork or research, this title's eye-catching visuals and oversized format are great for firing enthusiasm and encouraging browsing. Extend the reading experience with Jim Arnosky's "Crinkleroot" series (S & S) and "All About" series (Scholastic), and Robert Sabuda's "The Young Naturalist's Pop-Up Handbooks" (Hyperion).-Dona Ratterree, New York City Public Schools Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Awesome double-paged photographs of temperate forest creatures and detailed observations by an experienced naturalist will make this title a hit with nature lovers and a worthy companion to the author's Backyard Detective: Critters Up Close (2002). Bishop takes life-sized photographs of 130 different animals (116 of them insects) and then uses computer technology to cut and paste together 60 different photographs for each nature collage. Collages show the forest habitat in each season and then follow up with field notes providing more detail about the animals. He encourages the user to become a forest explorer, observing animals and keeping a forest journal to record discoveries. Each creature appears in a photo index, so the interested viewer can go from the collage to the index and read related text. The author concludes with information on how the large photographs were created. A visual treat, whether you live near a temperate forest or are an armchair investigator. (Nonfiction. 5-12)