Giant Panda

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Each title offers a slightly different take on the topic while functioning in the series framework. While the data is presented in fragmented format-information boxes, captions, inserts, "headlined" paragraphs within chapter headings-it is more detailed than might be expected at first glance. Besides the obvious facts on physiology, life cycles, and habits and habitats, the authors look into such subjects as global warming, habitat destruction, and the results of human interaction with indigenous wildlife populations. Each page boasts a full-color photograph directly connected to the texts. Collections that already own Caroline Arnold's attractive Orangutan (1990) and/or her Panda (1992, both Morrow; o.p.) or Roland Smith's fascinating In the Forest with the Elephants (Harcourt, 1998) may not consider these titles first purchases but the up-to-date, approachable treatments make it clear that pandas and orangutans are on a perilous downward spiral and information on Asian elephants (rather than their more popular African cousins) is not so readily available.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.