Describes the characteristics of mountainous areas and the plants and animals that inhabit them.
Children's Literature
This entry in the "First Reports" series describes the climate, landscape features, plants and animals, and human activity that are found on and around mountains. Information includes a definition of mountains and a discussion of plate movement that is caused by magma moving up from the earth's mantle through the earth's crust. A helpful map uses color to show the active areas where mountains are constantly forming as plates that move against or apart from each other. Erosion (water but not wind) and avalanches are mentioned as change agents. Well-captioned pictures show the animals such as pikas, bighorn sheep and bears (plus climber Jim Whittaker in an oxygen mask) that have lived on the mountains and a small section describes the damage done by climbers who leave trash behind, while a picture shows volunteers cleaning up. However, no mention is made of other damaging practices to mountain life, such as clear-cutting of timber or mining. This useful and clearly written text provides a good introduction to the subject for young readers and is supported with a short "Did You Know?" section, "Facts at a Glance," book and web site references, an index and "Places to Write to for More Information." 2001, Compass Point Books, $21.26. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
This entry in the "First Reports" series describes the climate, landscape features, plants and animals, and human activity that are found on and around mountains. Information includes a definition of mountains and a discussion of plate movement that is caused by magma moving up from the earth's mantle through the earth's crust. A helpful map uses color to show the active areas where mountains are constantly forming as plates that move against or apart from each other. Erosion (water but not wind) and avalanches are mentioned as change agents. Well-captioned pictures show the animals such as pikas, bighorn sheep and bears (plus climber Jim Whittaker in an oxygen mask) that have lived on the mountains and a small section describes the damage done by climbers who leave trash behind, while a picture shows volunteers cleaning up. However, no mention is made of other damaging practices to mountain life, such as clear-cutting of timber or mining. This useful and clearly written text provides a good introduction to the subject for young readers and is supported with a short "Did You Know?" section, "Facts at a Glance," book and web site references, an index and "Places to Write to for More Information." 2001, Compass Point Books, $21.26. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
