Jungle Rescue

School Library Journal

Gr 5-7-- After reading this book, students should come away with a good understanding of what a rain forest is and of the deleterious effect of deforestation on the jungle environment and the animal life that normally inhabits it. A thorough description of the ecology of a tropical rain forest is given with clear explanations of unfamiliar terms. Rescue efforts being made, such as international organizations' lobbying for laws to protect habitats and animals are examined as is Belize's efforts to establish rain forest reserves (Programme Belize). Addresses for organizations seeking to preserve rain forests are included and suggestions are given for becoming involved in the conservation of these natural resources. The book is unfortunately visually disappointing. The poorly reproduced black-and-white and stock full-color photographs do little to capture the drama or scope of the situation. Numerous books have been published recently including Martin Banks's Conserving Rain Forests (Steck-Vaughn) and Elaine Landau's Tropical Rain Forests around the World (Watts, both 1990); they cover essentially the same information equally well and are more attractive. Nonetheless, this is an informative introduction to a popular topic.-- Cynthia Sturgis, Ledding Lib . , Milwaukee, OR