Mangrove Wilderness

Children's Literature - Beverly Kobrin

The author/photographer's camera "froze" two-, four-, six-, and eight-legged creatures as they fluttered, scampered, crept, crawled, or swam about their business on the thoroughfares provided by the red mangroves off the south-west coast of Florida.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-An enlightening journey to Florida's swampy Everglades, focusing on the red mangrove. Remarkable, full-color, above-ground and underwater photographs provide great views and follow the food chain that develops around these trees. (June 1994)

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-Looking like a forest on stilts, red mangrove trees live where most other trees cannot-in salt water. Nature's web of interdependency is told through this detailed view of the mangrove life cycle and the food, shelter, and safety that the forests provide for creatures from the tiniest worms to the largest predators, above and below the water line. Exceptionally fine, full-color photographs are perfectly balanced by an engrossing and informative text. Lavies's lively, conversational prose covers a full range of the ecosystem. While there is no glossary, new terms are integrated into the narrative and are well explained. Aerial and closeup views complete the contexts in which readers view these fascinating Florida forests.-Lisa Wu Stowe, Great Neck Library, NY

Ellen Mandel

Former "National Geographic" staff photographer Lavies navigated her small sailboat among red mangrove islands along Florida's swampy, southwest coast. There she documented the underwater food chain that thrives around the mangrove roots, eyed a rat snake patiently stalking prey among the mangrove branches, and spied a variety of water birds that feast and nest in the shelter of the leafy mangrove trees. Whether silhouetting a white ibis perched on a branch at sunset or closing in on the mangrove's flowers and sprouting seeds, Lavies' often striking photographs accompany her informative, highly readable account of the diverse ecology of a mangrove wilderness. Especially important in tropical climes where the mangrove thrives, this book will also make a contribution to collections in other areas.