Living in a Rain Forest

Library Journal

Gr 3-6-Baldwin uses a question-and-answer format to provide basic information about each habitat. After explaining its distinguishing characteristics, she discusses the plants and animals found there. Small diagrams help explain the habitat's food web. She also considers both the destructive actions of humans that threaten the regions and the conservation efforts of individuals and groups. The respective titles discuss alpine as well as arctic tundra, and include some information about temperate rain forests. In such brief introductions, many topics necessarily receive cursory coverage. Maps help readers understand where the habitats are found worldwide. Although the rain-forest area of North America is indicated on the map, it is not included in the facing table that gives statistics about original sizes and deforestation rates. Small color photographs are interspersed among text boxes. Acceptable purchases for libraries needing additional resources for reports.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.